Pallava

The Pallavas were hereditary Jain rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th and 9th centuries. The dynasty’s greatest kings were Simhavisnu (ruled 575-600) and Narasimhavarman I (ruled 630-668). Their capital was Kanchipuram, a town southwest of Madras.

At its peak the Pallava empire stretched over most of south India, bounded by the Cholas on the south and the Chalukyas on the north. The Pallava dynasty was a time of significant religious change in South India--in particular, the growth of the Jainism . Both the Alvars and the Nayanmars were active during this time, and there are reports of Pallava kings converting from Jainism to Shaivism, leading to the decline of the Jain community in South India. Under the Pallavas, maritime trade with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia flourished, as did music, painting, literature, and architecture. Structural stone temples replaced rock buildings, the most impressive example being the sculptured Shore Temple at the seaport of Mahabalipuram, dedicated to the god Shiva. The Pallavas engaged in constant warfare with the Chalukyas of Badami and were finally eclipsed by the Chola kings in the 8th century.

Classification of Pallava dynasty as "Early", "Middle" and "Later" is based on the language used in their copper and stone engravings. Early Pallavas used Pragriti , middle Pallavas used Prakrit, and later Pallavas used Tamil in their engravings.

List of Pallava Kings

Early Pallavas (250-340)

Middle Pallavas (340-575)

Later Pallavas (575-900)

Name of Ruler	Period	Son of	Aliases
Simha Vishnu	575-615	Simma Varman III
Mahendra Varman	615-630	Simma Vishnu
Narasimha Varman	630-668	Mahendra Varman
Paramesvara Varman	670-685	Narasimha Varman
Raja Simman	685-705	Paramesvara Varman
Parameswaran II	705-710	Raja Simhan
Nandi Varman II	710-775	Decendent of Beema Varman son of Simma Varman III
Thandi Varman	775-825	Nandi Varman II
Nandi Varman III	825-850	Thandi Varman
Nirupathungan	850-882	Nandi Varman III

References

• Pallavar varalaṛu, by Mā. Rācamānikkanār, 1944, Caiva Cittānta Nūṛpatippu Kaḻakam.