Pallavas Administration Administrative Division Well Organised system of administration Divided into different units for the convenience of administration Rastras (Mandalam) Vishayas (Kottam) Nadu (Taluk level) Ur (Villege level)
Kingship King – Head of the Central Administration Kingship was Hereditary. Legitimate elder son was eligible to succeed the throne. Monarch had no son means, chance was given to son of the brother of the rulers. Asummed several title like ‘Maharaja’ ‘Dharmamaharaja’ ‘Maharajadhiraja’
Ministry Group of ministers of council of Ministers called ‘Mandrimandalam’. Ministers called Amatya Main minister or prime ministers - Brhahmasriraja. Vaikundaperumal inscriptions gave information about the existence of a council of minsters of the Pallava government. Arthasastra mentioned there was 32 members in the council of Ministers. Persons qualified in manu, vedas and trained in warfare were appointed as ministers.
Secretariat Judiciary Executive official or Secretariat called Uttamasilan Divided into two section 1. Private Secretaries called Karumattalaivar 2. Under Secretaries called Vayil -kalpar. Judiciary King – Head of the Justice He controlled the Courts in the state Dharmasanam – Civil Court Adhikaranam – Criminal Court Mathavilasa Prahasanam and Kasakudi inscriptions gives information about the Court of Pallava kingdom.
Army Well trained and highly organised army Forces : Elephantry, Cavalry and Infantry No Clear evidence to prove existence of Chariot Commander in chief of the Army called ‘Senapati’
Local Administration Head of the village – nattar According to N.Jeyapalan, there were three types of villages or town assemblies existed 1. Ur – all the classes of people 2. Sabha – Brahmin only members of this assembly. Brhamins assembly 3. Nagaram – Traders and merchants Members of these assemblies called as ‘perumakkal’
Social Condition under Pallavas Adopted the system of Varanasrama Dharma Strictly followed the brahminical or Hindu traditions and willing to perform yagas like Asvamedha and other Vedic sacrifices. Kurram and Kasakudi copper plate inscriptions clearly indicated, pallavas seriously practiced the Varna system.
Brahmnas Large number of Brahmins migrated into Tamilagam from north India. Minorities in population wise but occupied most of the royal official post and other official posts. Controlled the social order Large number of Hindu temples constructed and more Brahmins were invited from north India to perform rituals. Andhra Brahmins largely settled in Tamilagam during the age of pallavas.
Division among the Brahmins Division among the Brahmins known as gotras or division Among the gotras Vaishavas, Saivas and Vedic Brahmins prominent. Alwars – Vaishnava Brahmin group Nayanmars – Saivist Brahmin group Both followed different kinds of worships and rituals.
Education of Brahmins Concentrated more on studies Began to study Vedas at the age of 7 They took 10 years to learn Vedas. Nandivarman copper plate inscription described the name of 108 scholars who specialised in Vedas. Ghatika was an educational institution, which consisted group of learned Brahmanas. Centre of Ghatika was Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. Other centres of learning were Bahur and Sholingar. These places were called Ghatikasalams. Bhatta Vrithi, the land grant donated to Brahmins who served as Teachers.
People life People of village deeply involved in Agriculture Major crops- sugar-cane, food grains, coconuts, flowers etc. Salt and Oil manufacturing was important industry apart from agriculture. Large section of people involved in cattle-breeding and pottery making. Vellalas, Washerman, hunters, shepherd, fishermen, parayas, panas, ilavas and saliyas. Pulayas and Chandalas were outcastes in the society.
Pulayas and Parayas served under Vellalas land as agricultural labours. So called high caste people considered them as untouchables. They prohibited them from getting education and govt jobs. Treated as serfs or slaves. Ilavas or Shanars were socially backward community. Toddy Tapping was their main occupation No evidence of Sati was there in the pallava society
Position of Women Highly respected in the society. Showed keen interest in religion and temple affairs Enjoyed rights to own property No clear source to prove there was a existence of Dowry system and Sati. Monogamy was existed. But some kings had two wives. Kings made many matrimonial alliances to gain political advantages. For instance Rashtrakura princess married Nandivarman II. Kadamba princess Akkalami amathi married Dandivarman. Another Rashtrakuta princess Sanga married Nandivarman III. Mukteswara temple inscription noticed that there were several dancing girls. They were known as Adikal, Manikattar and Kannigaiyar.
Customs Keeping Memorial for the dead existed. Archaeological excavations discovered a number of memorial stones that belonged to pallavas. Pallavas period the customs of forming hero-stone was in practice. Later it was adopted by Cholas Custom of maintaining portrait or painting statues in the temple was followed. Much importance was given to the images of kings and queens in the temples. habit of constructing of shrines in honour of the dead practiced.