Pallava Dynasty

The Pallava dynasty existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, ruling a significant portion of the Deccan, also known as Tondaimandalam. The Pallava dynasty played a crucial role in shaping the South Indian history and heritage during their rule. The dynasty rose to prominence after the downfall of the Satavahana dynasty, with whom they had formerly served as feudatories.

Studying Pallava dynasty will be helpful for UPSC IAS Exam preparation. Mains GS paper-1 Medieval Indian History.

Table of Content

• About Pallava dynasty
• Administrative system of Pallava dynasty
• Administrative units of Pallava dynasty
• Central Government in Pallava dynasty
• Conclusion
• FAQs

About Pallava dynasty

• The period of Pallava dynasty is an important chapter in the history of Tamil Nadu.
• After defeating the Kalabhras, Pallavas established their rule in the Tamil country.
• The core of the Pallava kingdom was known as Thondai Mandalam.
• It extended from the river Krishna in the North to the river Palar in the South.
• Kanchipuram was the capital of Pallavas.
• Kanchi was under pallavas rule from 3rd to 9th century AD.

Administrative system of Pallava dynasty

• A well-organized administration had existed in the Pallava kingdom.
• We get a lot of information from the literature and inscriptions to know the various aspects of the Pallava administration.
• The Pallava kings had introduced several administrative institutions in the region.
• Mostly, they had adopted the Mauryan system of administration and suitably modified it.
• It can be said that generally there was peace and order in the Pallava kingdom due to their efficient administrative system.

Administrative units of Pallava dynasty

• The Pallava dynasty had a vast empire.
• It had extended up to the Nellore district in the North and up to the river South Pennar in the South.
• On the west, it had extended up to the Western Ghats and on the east up to the Bay of Bengal.
• It was very difficult to have administrative control over such a vast empire.
• Therefore, the Pallavas had divided the empire into several administrative units.
• They were called as Mandalam, Kottam, Nadu and Ur. These administrative divisions may be compared with the modern administrative units, namely province, district, taluk and village.

Mandalam

• The biggest unit of the Pallava Empire was Mandalam or Rashtra.
• It had remained almost an autonomous unit.
• The Pallava king had appointed a prince or Yuvaraja as the governor of a Mandalam.
• This was done to have direct central control over the provinces.

Kottams

• Each Mandalam was divided into several Kottams or Vishayas.
• The number of Kottams varied according to the size of the Mandalam.
• For example, the Thondai Mandalam was divided into twenty-four Kottams.
• Officials were appointed by the king to administer each Kottam.

Nadu

• The next administrative unit was called Nadu.
• It was bigger than Oor or Village.
• There were several villages in each Nadu.
• A council called Naattar was in charge of the administration of Nadu.

Oor

• The Oor or village was the smallest unit of the Pallava administration.
• It was also under the control of the village committees called Sabhas.
• The village Sabha remained almost autonomous in looking after the day-to-day administration of the village.

Central Government in Pallava dynasty

Monarchy

• The Pallava dynasty had followed the system of monarchy.
• The king was the head of the kingdom.
• Hereditary succession to the throne had been in practice.
• Normally, the eldest son would be the next ruler.
• The Paliava kings had considered themselves as the representatives of God.
• They had assumed many titles like Maharaja, Maharajathi Raja and Dharma Rajathiraja.
• These titles indicate the imperial power of the Pallava kings.
• The Pallava kings had also claimed a divine origin.

Council of Minister:

• There was an efficient Council of Ministers in the Pallava kingdom.
• The Ministers were known as Amatyas.
• They were given titles such as Uthamaseelan, Brahmarajan and Peraraiyan.
• The Minister carried out the orders of the king.
• They had also rendered their co-operation and service to the king in all matters of administration.
• Besides the Council of Ministers, there were many officials to look after each department of the Pallava administration.

Judiciary

• There were three types of courts in the Pallava kingdom.
• The highest judicial organization was called Dharmasena.
• The king acted as its head.
• The courts in the towns were known as Adikarnas.
• The village courts were called as Karnas.
• The village Sabhas also acted as courts in settling the civil disputes in the villages.
• Punishments were not cruel and harsh.
• Fines were also imposed along with punishment.

Army

• The Pallavas had possessed a strong and big army.
• There were four divisions in the army.
• They were infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots.
• The cavalry played a vital role in the wars.
• The Pallavas also had a Navy.
• Narasimhavarman I had sent two naval expeditions to Sri Lanka.

Revenue and Expenditure

• Land tax was the main source of income to the government.
• The copperplates and inscriptions of the Pallavas mention eighteen kinds of taxes.
• The number of lakes, tanks, wells, rivers and trees were counted for the purposes of taxation.
• Taxes were known by different names such as Kaanam, Irai, Paatam, and Poochi.
• For example, the term Kusakaanam refers to the tax on potters and Than Irai to the tax on weavers.
• Taxes were also levied on oil-pressers, toddy-tapers, washer men, goldsmiths and cattle-breeders.
• The chief items of expenditure of the government were the royal court, public works and temple grants.
• An officer called as Kumaranpandaram managed the royal palace.

Local administration

• The existence and the functioning of the local bodies constitute an important aspect of the Pallava administration.
• Already mention is made about the administrative units called Nadu and Oor.
• The respective committees had administered these divisions.
• The committee of Nadu was known as Naattar.
• They carried out the king’s orders and looked after the administration of Nadu.

Conclusion:

Pallava dynasty were one of the most prominent dynasty of the medieval period. The Pallava dynasty had divided the empire into several administrative units because the empire covered a vast area.  They had adopted the Mauryan system of administration and suitably modified it. It can be said that generally there was peace and order in the Pallava dynasty due to their efficient administrative system.

The decline of the Pallava dynasty began in the late 8th century, owing to the rise of the Chalukya-Chola dynasty. By the end of the 9th century, the Pallavas were subsumed by the growing power of the Cholas. Despite their decline, the Pallavas left a lasting legacy, particularly in the realm of temple architecture which influenced later South Indian dynasties, especially the Cholas, who took many cues from Pallava architectural innovations.

The Pallava dynasty’s impact on South Indian culture, especially in fostering a distinctive architectural style and promoting regional literature, continues to be celebrated in Tamil Nadu and beyond. Their architectural creations remain key cultural and historical sites, attracting scholars and tourists interested in the rich history of Southern India.

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FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)