Part 12 - The Pallavas of Virakuta A.D. (1100-1420)

A dynasty of the pallavas ruled in South Kalinga with capital at Virakuta or Viragottam for four centuries from the 11th to the 14th. These Pallavas, generally owed allegiance to the Cholas and the Eastern Gangas, except when they had to acknowledge the supremacy of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. The kings were warriors and led expeditions of conquest. Independent for all purposes, the Pallavas contracted alliances of marriage with the Silas, the Gangas of Jantamadu etc. The prasasti which is imperialistic of these Pallavas, is in three forms. These Pallavas had their own coinage and Khatvanga on their banner.

Sources and Origin

Inscriptions of the dynasty found mainly in the temples at Drakshrama, Simhachalama. Mukhalingam and Srikurmam, form the chief source. The records of the Gangas of Jantarnadu give some references to the Pallavas of Virakuta.

The Prasasti of the kings shows their Pallava origin claiming descent from Trinayana Pallava and the moon. Tne relationship of these Pallavas to the Pallavas of the south, and the time of their separation and settlement in Kalinga is not apparent. It may be surmised that when the Pallavas in the south were at the zenith, of their power, a collateral branch migrated to the southern Kalinga, established a kingdom and lived for centuries together of the Pallavas in the south ceased to exist. Unlike the records of the Matsyas of Oddadi, the records of these Pallavas do not give a mythological origin of the dynasty. Neither the relationship of these pallavas to the Telugu Pallavas in Vengi is known from record.