Pallava period (Social and Cultural History)
by S. Krishnamurthy | 2017 | 143,765 words
This study examines the Social and Cultural History of the Pallava period (as gleaned through the Sculptural Art). The Pallavas (6th-9th century A.D.) mainly ruled over the Tondaimandalam (Tondai Nadu) region in the Northern part of Tamil Nadu (South-India). The Pallava dynasty ensured a golden age of architecture, arts, and spirituality and while ...
Professional groups
[Full title: Socio-Religious Life of the Pallava Period: Professional groups]
In dealing with the society in Pallava period. C. Minakshi[1] generalizes that “In India it is usual to conceive of society as divided into four sections–Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras”. Substantial evidence for this view can be found in the Kuram grant of Paramesvaravarman[2] in which his father Mahendravarman II is hailed as “supranita-varnasrama dharmasya” i.e. strictly maintained the sacred laws of the castes and in the Kasakkudi plates (circa 754 A.D.)[3], which mentions that the Pallavas ruled by enforcing the special rules for all castes and orders (paripalita sakala varnasrama-vyavastha vishesah). Thus from these inscriptional sources, it is construed that by the time of the Pallavas, stratification of the society in accordance with the rules prescribed in the Dharmasastras was in vogue. Apart from the Kshatriyas and Brahmanas, inscriptions of this period hints into the existence of other professional groups such as hunter (vetan)[4], well-diggers (ulliyak)[5], herdsmen (vallabha)[6], carpenters (kashthakarin)[7], weavers (tantravaya)[8], cloth-dealers (apana-patta-kara)[9], goldsmiths (suvarnnakara)[10], architect (sthapati)[11], physicians (vaidyan)[12], barbers (napita)[13], metal and leather workers (loha-charmakara)[14], merchants (vanikkan)[15], etc.
Due to the Bhakti movement more number of temples were constructed. This paved way for the creation of new occupational classes. In order to look after the temple, its rituals, festivals and its property, special class of persons came up around the temple like, the priests, attendants, shepherds to take care of the sheep donated to the temple, carpenters, goldsmiths, cooks, garland makers, etc. There are many inscriptions[16] from Pallava region referring to these professional groups. There are even special officers appointed to look after the welfare of the cows are known in the inscriptions as Gopala (supervisor of cows)[17].
A survey of all the sculptures of this period show that, majority of them are religious in theme and secular sculptures are very few. So sculptures of this period at a glance do not directly reveal themselves about the various social classes or professional groups. The various professional groups can only be identified either by observing the sculptures or through the various objects depicted on it, like pottery, furniture, dress, ornamentation, musical instruments, weapons, etc. It can be said certainly that the various objects or artifacts seen in sculptures existed in those times and they are the products of specialized artisan or craftsman. On the basis of this hypothesis, attempt is made here to describe the various occupational groups as revealed through sculptures along with corroborative evidence from inscriptions and literature.
Footnotes and references:
[3]:
South Indian Inscriptions, vol. II, no. 73.
[4]:
Ambur inscription of Nrpatungavarman, Epigraphia Indica, Vol. IV, no. 23 (b).
[5]:
Kasakkudi plates of Nandivarman II, South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. II, no. 73.
[6]:
Hirahadagalli plates of Sivaskandavarman, Epigraphia Indica, Vol. I, pp. 1 ff.
[7]:
Velurpalayam plates of Nandivarman III, South Indian Inscriptions, vol. II no. 98.
[8]:
Vilavetti plates, Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XXVI, pp. 296–303.
[9]:
Vilavetti plates, Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XXVI, pp. 296–303.
[10]:
Chuvviuru plates of Paramesvaravarman I, Journal of Epigraphical Society of India, vol. IV, pp. 77–84.
[11]:
Velurpalayam plates of Nandivarman III, South Indian Inscriptions, vol. II, no. 98
[12]:
Tandantottam plates of Nandivarman II, South Indian Inscriptions, vol. II, no. 99
[13]:
Vilavetti plates, Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XXVI, pp. 296–303.
[14]:
Ibid.
[15]:
Paiyanur inscription of Nandivarman II, South Indian Inscriptions, vol. XII, no. 34.
[16]:
Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy, 1892, no.84; Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy, 1898, no.7, 8 and 64; South Indian Inscriptions vol. I, no. 154; South Indian Inscriptions, vol. IV, no. 827; Epigraphia Indica vol. 5, no. 8.
[17]:
Babbepalli plates of Kumaravishnu, Epigraphia Indica , Vol. XLII, pp. 44–54.