Pallavas

The Pallavas were a South Indian dynasty that ruled mainly in the Tamil country and parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh from around the 3rd century to the 9th century CE. They rose to prominence under rulers such as Simhavishnu and Mahendravarman I, with their capital at Kanchipuram. The Pallavas expanded along the southeast coast and played a central role in early South Indian political and cultural developments.

Culturally, the Pallavas were known for their architectural and artistic innovations, especially in rock-cut and cave temples. The coastal city of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) became a major center, hosting a group of remarkable monuments that include rock-cut temples, monolithic rathas (carved chariot temples), and the Shore Temple. These works are among the earliest large-scale expressions of Dravidian temple design and have earned designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pallavas also contributed to the growth of inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskrit and are associated with the early development of the Pallava script, a precursor to several South Indian scripts and to some scripts used in Southeast Asia.

Religion under the Pallavas was predominantly Hindu, with Shaivism and Vaishnavism receiving royal patronage; they also supported Jain and Buddhist communities at times. The period is sometimes linked to religious debates as depicted in Mahendravarman I’s Mattavilasa, a play that reflects inter-faith tensions of the era.

Decline came as Chola and Pandya power rose during the 8th and 9th centuries, leading to the gradual dissolution of Pallava rule. Despite their political decline, the Pallavas left a lasting legacy in temple architecture, script development, and cultural influence that shaped later South Indian art and maritime connections with Southeast Asia.