What does the name Pallava mean in Sanskrit and Tamil?
The word Pallava means a creeper or branch in Sanskrit. It also translates to arrow or spruce in Tamil.
Questions about Pallava dynasty
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the Pallava dynasty rule South India?
The Pallava dynasty ruled from 275 CE until 897 CE. They held Kanchi until the 9th century when they were defeated by the Chola ruler Aditya I.
Who was the founder of the Pallava dynasty according to legend?
Sangam literature describes Chola Prince Ilandiraiyan as the son of Chola king Killi and the Naga princess Pilivalai. He earned the title Tondaiman Ilam Tiraiyan after washing ashore with a Tondai twig wrapped around his leg.
Which kings built famous temples during the Pallava period?
Mahendravarman I created cave-temples including the rock cut temple in Mahendravadi. Narasimhavarman II built the Shore Temple which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mamallapuram.
How did the Pallava script influence Southeast Asian writing systems?
Around the 6th century, the Pallava script became a type of Brahmic script used to write texts. It gave rise ultimately to the Tamil script via Chozha-Pallava-script and Grantha script while influencing almost all Southeast Asian scripts.