Page 63 - sst_class_06
P. 63
In the sixth century AD, another powerful dynasty called the Pallavas arose. They controlled
both Southern Andhra and Northern Tamil Nadu. They set up their capital at Kanchi or
modern Kanchipuram to the Kaveri delta which became town of temples and Vedic learning.
The two great rulers of Pallava dynasty were Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman.
Mahendrvarman was a contemporary of both Harsha and Pulakeshin II. He fought a battle
against Pulakeshin II, but he was defeated, ultimately Narasimha-varman I defeated the
Chalukyan king Pulakeshin II and captured Vatapi. After this victory, he took the title of
Vatapikonda or the conqueror of Vatapi. He also led successful expeditions to Sri Lanka.
Both the rulers of Pallava tried to establish supremacy over the land lying between the
river Krishna and Tungabhadra. Their struggle for political power continued till the middle
of eighth century AD, after that both the power declined.
lIfe of tHe people
Our knowledge about the life of the people of the time is drawn mainly from literary works
such as Kalidasa’s plays, Banabhatta’s Harshacharita and the accounts of foreign travellers
like Hsuan Tsang. In Kalidasa’s plays, the king and most brahmins were shown speaking
Sanskrit, while women and men used Prakrit language.
Agriculture was the main occupation of the people. Several irrigation works and especially
huge tanks were constructed. Banana, coconut, mango and rice were cultivated. Trade
inland as well as overseas flourished.
BHaktI-an Important relIgIous deVelopment
Both under Chalukyas and Pallavas apart from Vedic Sacrifices, the worship of Lord Brahma,
Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva came into existance. The Alvar saints who were great devotees
of Lord Vishnu, popularised the worship of God. The worship of Shiva was popularised by
Nayanar saints. From Seventh Century AD onwards, the Bhakti movement began to become
popular in South India and the Alvars and Nayanars paved the way towards it through their
simple religious teachings, rejection of rituals and complicated ceremonies and criticism
of the caste system.
Thus, after the decline of the Guptas, a number of kingdoms arose in North and South
India, but none of them could become powerful empires. However, they made significant
contributions in political, economic and the cultural life of India.
Now I Know :
The Gupta Empire was the second most powerful empire after the Mauryan empire.
Sources like the Allahabad Pillar inscription, account of Fa-Hien and works of Kalidasa tell us about the Guptas.
The first important ruler of the Gupta dynasty was Chandragupta I. Samudragupta was the most powerful con-
queror of his dynasty. He is called the ‘Napoleon of India’.
The Gupta period excelled in art, literature, science and mathematics known as the ‘Golden Age of India’.
In the Deccan, the Chalukyas played an important role for about two centuries until 757 AD.
The Alvar saints who were great devotees of Lord Vishnu, popularised the worship of the God.
Social Studies-6 63
