Prelims: Pallava period
Mains: General studies I – Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Why in the News ?
A team of archaeological researchers has discovered an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, an artefact that dates back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet.
Source: The New Indian Express
Key Facts 🗝️
- The idol is depicted with eight hands, indicating its origin in the eighth century during the Pallava period.
- The sculpture depicts various elements such as chakkara, sword, bell, and abhaya mudra in the right hands
- Kotravai is portrayed standing on the head of a buffalo, with two guards on each side
![Kotravai Sculpture](https://i0.wp.com/upscpadhai.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-241.webp?fit=466%2C538&ssl=1)
About:
Pallava Dynasty :
- Emergence: The Pallavas rose to power during the reign of Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman-I.
- Region: The Pallavas established their authority over south Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu, with the capital at Kanchi.
- Kanchi: Under them became an important temple town and a centre of trade and commerce.
- Society & Culture:
- The social composition in the Pallava period witnessed the growing effects of Aryan culture.
- Because of this impact, a leading position was assigned to the Brahmins both in status and in the grant of lands.
- Aryanization was visible in the field of education.
- There were three types of places during this time:
- Ur: Peasants lived here and it was headed by a headman who collected and paid the taxes to the government.
- Sabha: THese were the land granted to the Brahmins, also called as Agrahara villages. These were tax-free.
- Nagaram: Merchants and traders resided at this place.
- Religion:
- Pallavas were the followers of Hinduism and made gifts of land to gods and Brahmins.
- In contact with the frequent customs, some rulers performed the Aswamedha and other Vedic sacrifices.
- The Chinese monk Xuanzang who visited India during the power of Narasimhavarman I reported that there were 100 Buddhist monasteries, and 80 temples in Kanchipuram.
- Architecture:
- The beautiful Pallava architecture can be divided into four styles:
- Mahendra style (600-625 AD).
- Mammala style (625-674 AD).
- Rajasimha and Nadivarman style (674-800 AD).
- Aparajita style (early 9th century).
- The Pallava era witnessed a transformation from rock-cut to free-standing temples.
- Mahendravarman was an explorer in rock-cut architecture. Mandagapattu temple was the first rock-cut temple developed by him.
- Narasimhaverman II also known as Rajasimha built the famous Kanchi Kailashnath Temple during the late 7th century AD.
- The Shore Temple was also built by Narasimhaverman II. It is the oldest temple in South India. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
- The Vaikuntha Perumal at Kanchipuram was built by Nandivarman II.
- The Dravidian type of architecture started with the Pallava reign.
- The beautiful Pallava architecture can be divided into four styles: