History Part 14, 15 14] Satavahanas - tnpsctricks.com princess of Manipallavam (an island off Jaffna, Sri Lanka). Some others are of the opinion that the Pallavas were feudatories

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History Part – 14, 15

14] Satavahanas

NOTES

Satavahanas are referred to as Andhras in the Puranas.

The Satavahana kingdom chiefly comprised of modern-day Andhra Pradesh,

Telangana and Maharashtra. At times, their rule also included parts of

Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Their capital cities varied at different times. Pratishthana (Paithan) and

Amaravati were its capitals.

Simuka founded the dynasty.

They were the first native Indian rulers to issue their own coins with the

portraits of the rulers. This practice was started by Gautamiputra Satakarni who

derived the practice from the Western Satraps after defeating them.

The coin legends were in Prakrit language. Some reverse coin legends are in

Telugu, Tamil and Kannada.

They patronised Prakrit more than Sanskrit.

They supported both Buddhism and Brahminism although they were Hindus

and claimed Brahminical status.

They successfully defended their territories against foreign invaders and had

many on-going battles with the Sakas (Western Satraps).



karshapana and suvarvana coins were in circulation during this period.

Allahabad stupa inscriptions tells us about the rule of satavahanas

Satakarni I (180 BC to 124 BC)

Sarakarni I was the third Satavahana king.

Satakarni I was the first Satavahana king to expand his empire by military

conquests.

He conquered Kalinga after the death of Kharavela.

He also pushed back the Sungas in Pataliputra.

He also ruled over Madhya Pradesh.

After annexing the Godaveri Valley, he assumed the title of ‘Lord of

Dakshinapatha’.

His queen was Nayanika who wrote the Naneghat inscription which describes

the king as Dakshinapathapati.

He performed Ashvamedha to celebrate the victory over malwa and revived

Vedic Brahminism in the Deccan.

Gautamiputra Satkarni (Reign 80 -104 AD)

He is considered as the greatest king of the Satavahana dynasty.

He defeated the Greeks, Pahlavas (Indo-Parthians) and the Sakas.

His kingdom ran from Krishna in the south to Malwa and Saurashtra in the

north and from Berar in the east to the Konkan in the west.



He defeated Nahapana, an important king of the Western Satraps.

He is also called Ekabrahmana.

His mother was Gautami Balasri and hence his name Gautamiputra (son of

Gautami).

He was succeeded by his son Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi or Pulamavi II.

Decline of satavahanas

Pulamavi IV is considered the last king of the main Satavahana line.

He ruled until 225 AD. After his death, the empire fragmented into five smaller

kingdoms.

15] South Indian kingdoms – Pallavas

The Pallavas

After the decline of the Sangam Age in the Tamil country, the Kalabhra

rule AD 300 - AD 600.

Thereafter, the Pallavas established their kingdom in Tondaimandalam

with its capital at Kanchipuram. Their rule continued till Tondaimandalam

was captured and annexed by the Imperial Cholas in the beginning of the

tenth century A.D.

Origin of the Pallavas



The origins of the Pallavas are shrouded in mystery. There are several

theories propounded by historians.

Some historians say they are a branch of the Pahlavas of the Parthians

who moved to the South.

Some say they are an indigenous dynasty that arose within the Southern

region and were a mix of various tribes.

Some experts believe them to be of Naga origin who first settled around

the Tondaimandalam region near Madras.

Another theory says that they are descendent from a Chola prince and a

Naga princess of Manipallavam (an island off Jaffna, Sri Lanka).

Some others are of the opinion that the Pallavas were feudatories of the

Satavahanas.

The first Pallava kings ruled during the beginning of the 4th century AD.

By the 7th century AD, there were three kingdoms in southern India vying

for supremacy namely the Chalukyas of Badami, the Pandyas of Madurai

and the Pallavas of Kanchipuram.

Extent

The Pallava capital was Kanchipuram.

Their territories at the height of their powers extended from northern part

of Andhra Pradesh to River Kaveri in the South.



During the seventh century, the Cholas were reduced to a marginal state

by the authority of the Pallavas.

Vatapi (Badami) was occupied by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman who

defeated the Chalukyas.

The Kalabhra uprising was crushed by the Pandyas, Chalukyas and the

Pallavas jointly. The Kalabhras were protesting against the numerous land

grants (Brahamadeya) to Brahmanas made by the Brahmanic rulers of the

three dynasties.

Simhavarman / Simhavishnu (575 AD – 600 AD)

Was a Buddhist.

Also called as 'Avanisimha'

Included Sri Lanka in his kingdom.

Defeated the contemporary Tamil ruler. Pallava history assumes a definite

character from this ruler onwards.

Invaded kalabhras and firmly established the pallava rule in

tondaimandalam

Mahendravarman (600 AD – 630 AD )

Succeeded Simhavishnu who was his father.

He was a poet and composed Vichitrachita and Mahavilasa Prahasana.

He introduced rock cut temple architecture.



Was a Jain who converted to Saivism due to the influence of Appar.

Had on-going rivalry and battles with Pulakesin II of Chalukya dynasty.

Mahendravarman died in battle with the Chalukyas. He was an able and

efficient ruler.

Mahendravarman I built the two cities of Mahendravadi and

Mahendramangalam.

He has been praised as 'Sithirakarapuli and sankiranavathi’.

Narasimhavaraman I (630 AD – 668 AD)

Son and successor of Mahendravarman.

Considered the greatest of the Pallavas. Also called Narasimhavarman

Mahamalla/Mamalla (great wrestler ).

Defeated and killed Pulakesin II in 642 AD. He took control of Vatapi, the

Chalukya capital and assumed the title ‘Vatapikonda’.

Also vanquished the Cholas, Cheras and the Pandyas.

He sent a naval expedition to Sri Lanka two times and reinstated the

Sinhalese Prince Manivarma.

He founded the city of Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram which is named

after him.

Hiuen Tsang visited the Pallava kingdom during his reign in about 640

AD and he describes the people living in his kingdom as happy.



He also says there was an abundance of agricultural products.

Great Nayannar saints like Appar, Tirugnanasambandar and Siruthondar

lived during his reign.

Motnolithic rathas in mamallapuram was built by him.

He was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman II who ruled from 668 to

670 AD.

Mahendravarman II (668-700)

He ruled for a very short period, since he was killed by Chalukya king,

Vikramaditya I (son of Pulakesin II).

Paramesvaravarman 1 (670-700)

He had to face the invading forces of Vikramaditya I, but finally

succeeded in defeating and driving them back after repeated efforts.

Narasimhavarman II (700-728)

His rule is marked by peace and prosperity, literary activity, and the

construction of large and beautiful temples like the Shore temple at

Mamallapuram and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi.

He is also said to have sent embassies to China; and maritime trade

flourished during his reign.

Dandi was present in his court and dandi alangaram was written by him in

sanskrit.



Paramesvaravarman II (AD 728- AD 731)

The Pallava kingdom again had to face defeat and humiliation during his

reign.

The Chalukya, Vikramaditya II attacked the Pallava capital and

Paramesvaravarman had to conclude a humiliating treaty with him.

When the Pallava ruler tried to retaliate, he was killed by the Ganga ally

of the Chalukyas.

Nandivarman II (AD 731- AD 796)

The Chalukya, Vikramaditya II again invaded and captured the Pallava

capital during his reign, but Vikramaditya showed consideration and

restraint in treating the vanquished, the only instance of restraint in the

whole of the suicidal Chalukya-Pallava conflict, and withdrew from

Kanchi without destroying it.

Nandi soon strengthened himself and defeated the Chalukya ally, the

Gangas. But he had to meet defeat at the hands of the Pandyas. And after

this defeat, he concentrated on domestic matters.

He was a worshipper of Vishnu and a great patron of learning.

During his reign, several old temples were renovated and new ones like

the Vaikuntaperumal temple at Kanchi were constructed.

Thirumangai alwar belongs to his period.



Successors of Nandivarman II were Dantivarman (796-847),

Nandivarman III (847-69) is also called as tellaru nandivarman ,

Nripatunga (869-99) and Aparajita (899-903).

The last nail in the coffin was driven by Aditya Chola by defeating

Aparajita Pallava towards the end of the ninth century AD.

However, the Pallava chiefs continued to exist till the end of the 13th

century AD as feudatories.

Parameswaravarman was killed by sungas.

Administration of the Pallavas

The Pallavas had a well organized administrative system.

Pallava management system is arranged as Rashtram - Vishayas - Nadus -

Urs

The Pallava state was divided into Kottams.

The Kottam was administered by officers appointed by the king.

The king was at the centre of administration in which he was assisted by

able ministers.

The king was the fountain of justice.

The king maintained a well-trained army.

During the Pallava period, there were civil and criminal courts



The king provided land-grants to the temples known as Devadhana and

also to the Brahmans known as Brahmadeya.

It was also the responsibility of the central government to provide

irrigation facilities to the lands. A number of irrigation tanks were dug by

the Pallava kings.

The irrigation tanks at Mahendravadi and Mamandoor were dug during

the reign of Mahendravarman I.

Detailed information on the tax system could also be traced from the

Pallava inscriptions.

Land tax was the primary source of the government revenue.

The Brahmadeya and Devadhana lands were exempted from tax.

Traders and artisans such as carpenters, goldsmiths, washer-men, oil-

pressers and weavers paid taxes to the government.

The Pallava inscriptions throw much light on the village assemblies called

sabhas and their committees.

They maintained records of all village lands, looked after local affairs and

managed temples.

Society under the Pallavas

The Tamil society witnessed a great change during the Pallava period.

The caste system became rigid.



The Brahmins occupied a high place in the society. They were given land-

grants by the kings and nobles. They were also given the responsibility of

looking after the temples.

The Pallava period also witnessed the rise of Saivism and Vaishnavism

and also the decline of Buddhism and Jainism.

The Saiva Nayanmars and the Vaishnava Alwars contributed to the

growth of Saivism and Vaishnavism. This is known as the Bakthi

Movement. They composed their hymns in the Tamil language. These

hymns revealed the importance of devotion or Bakthi. The construction of

temples by the Pallava kings paved the way for the spread of these two

religions.

Education and Literature

The Pallavas were great patrons of learning and their capital Kanchi was

an ancient centre of learning.

The Ghatika (educational centres ) at Kanchi was popular and it attracted

students from all parts of India and abroad.

The founder of the Kadamba dynasty, Mayurasarman studied Vedas at

Kanchi.

Dinganaga, a Buddhist writer came to study at Kanchi. Dharmapala, who

later became the Head of the Nalanada University, belonged to Kanchi.



Bharavi, the great Sanskrit scholar lived in the time of Simhavishnu and

wrote Kiratarjuniya.

Dandi, another Sanskrit writer adorned the court of Narasimhavarman II

and wrote Avanti Sundari Katacharam.

Mahendravaraman I composed the Sanskrit play Mattavilasaprahasanam

and author of 'BhagavadViyugam'.

Tamil literature had also developed and the Nayanmars and Alwars

composed religious hymns in Tamil.

The Devaram composed by Nayanmars and the Nalayradivyaprabandam

composed by Alwars represent the religious literature of the Pallava

period.

Perundevanar was patronized by Nandivarman II and he translated the

Mahabharata as Bharathavenba in Tamil.

Nandikkalambagam was another important work but the name of the

author of this work is not known.

Music and dance also developed during this period.

Religion

The Pallavas were orthodox Brahmanical Hindus and their patronage was

responsible for the great reformation of the medieval ages.



Most of the Pallava kings were devotees of Siva, the exceptions being

Simhavishnu and Nandivarman who were worshippers of Vishnu.

Mahendravarman I was the first to be influenced by the famous Saivite

saints of the age.

Besides worshipping Siva, he also showed reverence to other Hindu gods.

Pallavas were tolerant towards other religions like Buddhism and Jainism.

However, some of the sects like Buddhism were losing their former glory

to Saivism.

The Vedic tradition in general bossed over the local tradition.

Sankaracharya in fact gave this stimulus to Vedic tradition.Tamil saints of

the sixth and seventh centuries AD were the progenitors of the bhakti

movement.

The hymns and sermons of the Nayanars (Saivite saints) and Alvars

(Vaishnavite saints) continued the tradition of bhakti.

Saivite saints were Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, and others. Most

remarkable thing about this age was the presence of women saints such as

Andal (an Alvar).

Pallava Art and Architecture



The Pallavas introduced the art of excavating temples from the rock. In

fact, the Dravidian style of temple architecture began with the Pallava

rule.

It was a gradual evolution starting from the cave temples to monolithic

rathas and culminated in structural temples.

The development of temple architecture under the Pallavas can be seen in

four stages.

Mahendravarman I introduced the rock-cut temples. This style of Pallava

temples are seen at places like Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi,

Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirappalli, Vallam, Siyamangalam and

Tirukalukkunram.

The second stage of Pallava architecture is represented by the monolithic

rathas and Mandapas found at Mamallapuram. Narasimhavarman I took

the credit for these wonderful architectural monuments.

The five rathas, popularly called as the Panchapanadava rathas, signifies

five different styles of temple architecture. The mandapas contain

beautiful sculptures on its walls. The most popular of these mandapas are

Mahishasuramardhini Mandapa, Tirumurthi Mandapam and Varaha

Madapam.



In the next stage, Rajasimha introduced the structural temples. These

temples were built by using the soft sand rocks. The Kailasanatha temple

at Kanchi and the Shore temple at Mamallapuram remain the finest

examples of the early structural temples of the Pallavas. The Kailasanatha

temple at Kanchi is the greatest architectural master piece of the Pallava

art.

The last stage of the Pallava art is also represented by structural temples

built by the later Pallavas. The Vaikundaperumal temple, Muktheeswara

temple and Matagenswara temples at Kanchipuram belong to this stage of

architecture.

The Pallavas had also contributed to the development of sculpture.

Apart from the sculptures found in the temples, the ‘Open Art Gallery’ at

Mamallapuram remains an important monument bearing the sculptural

beauty of this period.

The Descent of the Ganges or the Penance of Arjuna is called a fresco

painting in stone.

The minute details as well as the theme of these sculptures such as the

figures of lice-picking monkey, elephants of huge size and the figure of

the ‘ascetic cat’ standing erect show highly evovled sculpture era.

Fine Arts



Music, dance and painting had also developed under the patronage of the

Pallavas.

The Mamandur inscription contains a note on the notation of vocal music.

The Kudumianmalai inscription referred to musical notes and instruments.

The Alwars and Nayanmars composed their hymns in various musical

notes.

Dance and drama also developed during this period.

The sculptures of this period depict many dancing postures.

The Sittannavasal paintings belonged to this period.

The commentary called Dakshinchitra was compiled during the reign of

Mahendravarman I, who had the title Chittirakkarapuli.

Spread of Indian Culture

Pallavas were also instrumental in spreading Indian culture in South-East

Asia.

Till the eighth century AD Pallava influence was predominant in

Cambodia. Saivism enjoyed official patronage in these countries.

The Pallava type of sikhara is to be found in the temples of Java,

Cambodia and Annam.

Satavahanas - Questions

1) Who is the founder of the satavahanas clan?



(A) Gautamiputra Satakarni

(B) Simuka

(C) Yajna Sri Satakarni

(D) Vashishtaputra Pulamayi

2) How was the Andhra rulers who ruled the delta region of the Godavari and

Krishna rivers is called as?

(A) Cholas

(B) Simuka

(C) Pallavas

(D) Satavahanas

3) The greatest ruler of the Satavahana dynasty is

(A) Sri Satakarni I

(B) Vashishtaputra Pulamayi

(C) Gautamiputra Satakarni

(D) Yajna Sri Satakarni

4) During whose rule the karshapana and suvarvana coins were in circulation ?

(A) Cholas

(B) Simuka

(C) Pallavas

(D) Satavahanas



5) Who is called as Ekabrahmana ?

(A) Sri Satakarni I




6) Who defeated nahapana of western satraps ?

(A) Sri Satakarni I




7) Allahabad stupa inscriptions tells us about whose rule ?

(A) Cholas

(B) Simuka

(C) Pallavas

(D) Satavahanas

8) The period of Gautamiputra Satakarni is

(A) AD 100 to AD 104

(B) AD 80 to AD 104

(C) AD 40 to AD 104

(D) AD 80 to AD 180



9) Why did Sri Satakarni I conducted Ashvamedha ?

(A)To Celebrate the victory of the Malwa

(B) Add pride to satavahanas

(C) To rule

(D) None of these

10) Which is the capital of the Satavahanas?

(A) Pratishtana

(B) Nasik

(C) Amravati

(D) Both (A) and (C)

South Indian Kingdoms – Pallavas - Questions

1) The Kalabhras period of Tamil Nadu

(A) AD 300 - 600

(B) AD 400 - 800

(C) AD 300 - 400

(D) AD 200 - 600

2) Which of the following statements is not the correct statement about the origin

of the Pallava?

(A) Origin from Parthians

(B) Feudatories of satavahanas



(C) Those who come from the clan of the Kalabhras

(D) Natives of tondaimandalam

3) What is the capital of the Pallavas?

(A) Thanjavur

(B) Kanchipuram

(C) Mamallapuram

(D) Vengi

4) Who invaded kalabhras and firmly established the pallava rule in

tondaimandalam ?

(A) Mahendravarman I

(B) Simhavishnu

(C) Narasimhamvarman I

(D) Narasimhavarman II

5) Who is called as 'Avanisimha'?

A) Mahendravarman I

(B) Simhavishnu



6) Who influenced Mahendravarman to the conversion of saivism?

(A) Appar



(B) Sundarar

(C) Manikavasagar

(D) Simhavishnu

7) Who built the two cities of Mahendravadi and Mahendramangalam?


(B) Simhavishnu



8) Which of the following statements is / are correct?

1) Mahadevarman Iwas the first son of Narasimhavarman I.

2) Narsimhavarman was called by the name of Mamallan.

3) Mamallan means a great wrestler.

4) Pallava King Mahendravarman, who was known as Vatapi Kondan.

5) The Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang came to Kanchi during the reign of

Mahendravarman.

6) Narasimhavarman I was called as Rajasimha.

7) Narasimhamvarman was the first to fight twice in Ceylon.

(A) 1, 2, 3

(B) 2, 3, 4

(C) 2, 3, 7



(D) 1, 4, 5, 6

9) Who built the Monolithic rathas in Mamallapuram?

(A) Narasimhavarman I

(B) Narasimhavarman II

(C) Mahendravarman III

(D) Parameswarvarman II

10) In which language Dandi alangram was written by Dandi ?

(A) Tamil

(B) Telugu

(C) Sanskrit

(D) Hindi

11) Which of the following is a wrong match ?

(A) Mahendravarman I - AD 630 -650

(B) Narasimhavarman I - AD 630 - 668

(C) Narasimha Varman II - AD 691 - 728

(D) Parameswaran II - AD 728 - 731

12) Which pallava king was defeated b Vikramaditya II ?







13) During pallava reign the Ghatika means?

(A) Members of the public and members in court

(B) Educational Stations / Centers

(C) Groups with Minister

(D) Temples

14) In whose court Dandi was present ?





15) In battle of Tellaru the pandian king srivallan lost and which of these king is

called tellaru nandivarman

(A) Nandivarman II

(B) Narsimhavarman I

(C) Nandivarman III




16) Which alwar belongs to the period of Nandivarman II?

(A) Namm alwar

(B) Periyalvar

(C) Thirumangai Alwar

(D) Andal

17) Which god was worshipped by Nandivarman II ?

(A) Vishnu

(B) Brahma

(C) Shiva

(D) Indhra

18) Which Chola king defeated the last Pallava King Aparajitavarman?

(A) Aditya I

(B) Rajarajan

(C) Parantaka II

(D) Parantaka I

19) Which of the following Pallava management system is arranged in descending

order?

(A) Urs - Nadus - Vishayas - Rashtram

(B) Rashtram - Vishayas - Nadus - Urs

(C) Nadus - Vishayas - Urs - Rashtram



(D) Rashtram - Vishayas - Urs – Nadus

20) Which of the following statements is /are correct ?

1) The lowest unit of the Pallava administration is the village.

2) The village asseemblies were in charge of the village administration.

3) Variyams were set up for the development of villages.

4) During the Pallava period, there were civil and criminal courts.

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) 3 only

(D) All of these

21) Who is the author of 'BhagavadViyugam'?





22) Who killed the Parameswara varman?

(A) Chalukyas

(B) Sungas

(C) Cheras

(D) Khilji

23) Match the following

1) Kiratarjuniya - Perundevanar



2) Avanti Sundari Katacharam - Bharavi

3) Mattavilasa prahasana - Dandi

4) Bharata Venpa - Mahendravarman I

(A) 4 3 2 1

(B) 2 3 4 1

(C) 3 2 1 4

(D) 1 2 3 4

24) In pallava period Architecture is divided into how many types?

(A) Two

(B) Three

(C) Four

(D) Five

25) Which of the following statements is / are wrong?

1) The Rock cut temples were built during the Mahendravarman I period.

2) The second type of Monolithic rathas and mandapas.

3) The third typeis the structural temple in rajasimha style.

4) The fourth type is also the structural temple continued by pallavas .

5) The Mamallapuram Beach Temple is an example of construction of temples.

(A) 1, 3



(B) 2, 3

(C) 4

(D) 5

26) Who is the Pallava King has been praised as 'Sithirakarapuli and

sankiranavathi’ ?


(B) Narasimhavarman I

(C) Narasimhavarman II


27) Which of the following statement is a correct match ?

(A) Rock cut temples - Mutheswarar Vaikunda Perumal

(B) Monolithic rathas - Mamallapuram

(C) Rajasimha type - Mamandur, Sivagangur, Seymangalam, Trichy,

Thirakkalakkugandam, Mahendravati

(D) Construction temples - Kailasanathar Temple, Shore Temple.

28) The paintings on the Kanchi Kailasanathar temple belongs to whose period?

(A) Satavahanas

(B) Pallavas

(C) Cholas

(D) Pandya



29) Who is the author of 'Mattavilasa Prahasana'?


(B) Mahendravarman I

(C) ParameswaravarmanII

(D) Rajasimha

30) Where is the Vaikunda Perumal temple?

(A) Ellora

(B) Kanchipuram

(C) Kumbakonam

(D) Mamallapuram

31) The songs written by the Alvaras and Nayanmars belongs to whose period ?

(A) Chalukyas

(B) Cholas

(C) Pallavas

(D) Pandya

32) Where is the Muktheeswara temple?

(A) Ellora

(B) Kanchipuram

(C) Kumbakonam

(D) Mamallapuram



33) Shore Temple in Mamallapuram is a type of

(A) Construction temples

(B) Rajasimha

(C) Rock cut temples

(D) None of these

34) During whose reign was the Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang visited Kanchi?

(A) paramesvaravarman I

(B) Nandivarman I

(C) Narasimhavarman I

(D) Mahendravarman I

35) Nandi Kalambagam was written during whose period?

(A) Chalukyas

(B) Cholas

(C) Pallavas

(D) Pandya

Documents

History Part 14, 15 14] Satavahanas - tnpsctricks.com princess of Manipallavam (an island off Jaffna, Sri Lanka). Some others are of the opinion that the Pallavas were feudatories