CUET PG History Unit 4: Kadambas, Pallavas and Chalukyas of Badami – Regional States During the Gupta Era

CUET PG History Unit 4 covers the Kadambas, Pallavas and Chalukyas of Badami, focusing on the rise of regional states in South India. The topic examines their founders, capitals, administration, economy, society, religion and political conflicts.

For exam preparation, focus on Kadamba Kannada inscriptions, Pallava temple architecture, Mahabalipuram, Chalukya administration, Vesara style and the Chalukya-Pallava rivalry. Key rulers, battles, inscriptions and architectural developments are especially important for CUET PG History.

Regional States During the Gupta Era: What This Topic Covers

After the big empires of the Mauryas and Guptas, power in South India moved to local kingdoms. This topic covers three of them: the Kadambas, the Pallavas and the Chalukyas of Badami.

This is a key part of CUET PG Ancient History Unit 4 and is listed in the official CUET PG History syllabus. Read the sections in order, because the three dynasties are linked. The Chalukyas began as Kadamba feudatories, and they fought the Pallavas for many years. If you have not read the earlier topic yet, start with our page on the Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas.

Use these resources as your CUET PG History notes for the topic, and check the CUET PG History important topics list as well.

Kadamba Dynasty: Founder, Capital and Administration

The Kadambas ruled from about 345 to 525 CE in present-day Karnataka. They were one of the first local powers of the Deccan. These points are the basis of any Kadamba dynasty CUET PG notes page.

Mayurasharman, the Kadamba founder, was a Brahmin by birth. He rose against the Pallavas with the help of local tribal chiefs and set up an independent kingdom at Banavasi. Even though he was a Brahmin, he performed the Hiranyagarbha ritual to prove his right to rule as a king. Later, the Chalukya king Pulakeshin I also performed this ritual.

Kakusthavarman was another important ruler. He grew the kingdom, and the capital is said to have moved to Kolar in his time.

Kadamba rule was decentralised. Local feudal chiefs held a lot of power. This detail matters because the Chalukyas began as Kadamba feudatories.

Kadamba Kannada Inscriptions, Religion and Decline

The Kadambas are known for language and culture as much as for war. Their records show a big change in how kings used language.

They were the first dynasty to use early Kannada in official records, along with Sanskrit and Prakrit. The Kadamba Kannada inscriptions set an example that the Chalukyas and the Hoysalas followed later. They also supported early Kannada writing.

In religion, the Kadambas supported both Hinduism and Jainism. They built Hindu temples as well as Jain basadis. The Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla in Goa is their best-known surviving temple. Jain influence in Karnataka goes back to the 4th century BCE. The Goa branch of the family also issued gold coins.

The dynasty grew weak after attacks by the Chalukyas, Pallavas and Gangas. The Chalukyas of Vatapi became strong enough to break free. Smaller Kadamba branches still lived on in Goa, Halasi and Banavasi.

Pallava Dynasty: Founder and Important Rulers

The imperial Pallavas ruled from about 600 to 900 CE with Kanchipuram as their capital. These notes cover the founder and the four rulers you must know for the exam.

Simhavishnu, the Pallava founder, defeated the Kalabhras. This ended the dark period after the Sangam age. He took titles such as Avanisimha and Simhavishnu Uttarayana. Bharavi, the author of Kiratarjuniyam, lived at his court.

The table below lists the main rulers. Pay close attention to the two Narasimhavarmans, because exam questions often mix them up.

Remember this link: Narasimhavarman and the Mahabalipuram rathas belong to Narasimhavarman I. The structural stone temples belong to Narasimhavarman II.

Pallava Village Administration: Sabha and Urar

The Pallava system mixed royal power with strong local rule. This is a favourite topic in exams, and it also helps you understand the later Chola system.

Pallava kings used the title Dharmamaharaja. The kingdom was split into regions called Kottams, which royal officers ruled. The village was the base unit. In Pallava village administration, the Sabha and Urar were the local assemblies. Villages ran almost like small self-ruled units and had their own courts, called Dharmashasana. This model was a clear forerunner of the famous Chola village assemblies.

Pallava Society, Religion and Economy

Pallava society changed with the growing power of Brahmins. Historians call this the "Aryanization of the South." Kings still showed respect for Jainism and Buddhism.

The state supported both Vaishnavism and Shaivism. In the 7th century, the Bhakti movement grew under the Alvars (Vaishnava saints) and the Nayanars (Shaiva saints). Appar and Sambandar were Nayanars, and their Tevaram hymns date to the time of Mahendravarman. Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of Advaita Vedanta, was active in the wider period.

In the economy, land revenue was the main income. Taxes were also charged on professions and even on marriages. Trade moved from barter to gold and silver coins.

Dravidian Temple Architecture Under the Pallavas

The Pallavas laid the base for South Indian temple building. Their work is the heart of Dravidian temple architecture under the Pallavas and appears often in exams.

Their style grew in four steps. The table below shows each style, the ruler and the main feature. Learn it in this order.

Pallava influence also reached Southeast Asia. The Chittannavasal paintings show the Pallava painting tradition.

Chalukyas of Badami: Rise and Rulers

The Chalukyas of Badami began as feudatories of the Kadambas. Then they broke away and became the strongest power in the Deccan. This is the basis of any Chalukyas of Badami history page.

Pulakeshin I founded the kingdom and fortified Badami, also called Vatapi. Like Mayurasharman, he performed the Hiranyagarbha ritual. He also performed an Ashvamedha sacrifice. His titles included Vallabhesvara, Satyashraya, Ranavikrama and Rajasingha.

Kirtivarman I defeated the Mauryas of Konkana, the Nalas and the Kadambas. He also took Goa, then called Revati Dvipa, which became a big port. After his early death, Mangalesha ruled as regent. Pulakeshin II defeated him in a civil war. Later, Vikramaditya I took back Badami and put the state in order.

Chalukya-Pallava Rivalry and the Three Big Battles

Pulakeshin II is the greatest Chalukya king. The war years of his rule are a strong exam topic. The Chalukya-Pallava rivalry went on for generations and drained both sides.

The Battle of Narmada, fought around 630 CE, was between Pulakeshin II and Harshavardhana. The win stopped Harsha from moving south, and Pulakeshin II took the title Dakshinapatheshvara, "Lord of the South." The three key battles are below.

The rivalry weakened the Chalukyas and, over time, the Pallavas too. The last Pallava king, Aparajitavarman, lost to Aditya Chola, and the Cholas took Tondaimandalam.

Chalukya Administration, Society and Economy

Chalukya rule was strict and had clear ranks. The king was at the top, and a Prime Minister called the Mahamatya helped him. Districts were called Vishayas, and Vishayapatis ran them. Like the Kadambas, the Chalukyas used Kannada as the language of the state.

Village self-rule was missing under the Chalukyas. This is a common exam question. The Pallavas and later the Cholas gave villages strong powers through the Sabha and Urar, but the Chalukyas did not.

They were tolerant in religion. They supported Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Jainism. Xuanzang noted that Buddhism was in decline. Ravikirti, the Jain court poet, shows how Jainism did well. Society was patriarchal, and women were respected but held no high posts.

The land was rocky and gave little farm income. Trade was weak, so the kings often turned to war.

Vesara Style: Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal

The Chalukyas are best remembered for their temples. Their work joined northern and southern traditions in one style.

The Vesara style of temple architecture mixes the northern Nagara style with the southern Dravida style. The three main centres are Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami. Read the table for the key points.

Literature, Inscriptions and Decline of the Chalukyas

The Chalukyas left rich written records. The best-known record is the Aihole inscription by Ravikirti, a Jain court poet. It praises Pulakeshin II and gives the first known use of the word "Maharashtra" in an inscription.

Other works include the Saptasattavatara, a Sanskrit grammar work by a chief of Pulakeshin II. The Kappe Arabhatta inscription shows Tripadi poetry. Comedy Mahotsava was written by Vajika, the daughter-in-law of Pulakeshin II. She was a Kadamba princess by birth, so she links all three dynasties.

After Pulakeshin II, weak kings, constant wars and poor farm income weakened the state. The Rashtrakutas, who were once their feudatories, took over when Dantidurga defeated Kirtivarman II. The Cholas rose in the same way after the Pallavas.

CUET PG History Unit 4 Kadambas, Pallavas and Chalukyas: Quick Revision

This table gives a fast summary before the exam. Revise the founders and capitals first.

Get Exam-Ready with PW's CUET PG History Support

Along with these notes, PW provides a range of CUET PG History resources to help you cover the syllabus, strengthen concepts and practise effectively. From courses and previous year papers to test series, important topics and recommended books, these resources support focused preparation and quick revision before the exam. 

The Kadambas, Pallavas and Chalukyas shaped the political and cultural history of early medieval South India. For CUET PG preparation, revise their founders, capitals, administration, inscriptions, major battles and temple styles, especially Mahabalipuram, Pattadakal and the Vesara tradition.