Early Medieval South India

Pallavas of Kanchi

Their authority extended over Southern Andhra and Northern Tamil Nadu with their capital at Kanchi.
They were famous for the construction of stone temples in Tamil Nadu.
Important rulers include Mahendravarmana I and Narasimhavarman. The latter defeated the Chalukyan ruler Pulakeshin II and occupied Chalukyan capital at Vatapi.
An important port city under them was Mahabalipuram where Narasimhavarman I got constructed the 5 ratha temples. These are named after the five Pandavas.
Other important temples of the Pallavas include the Kailashnath temple at Kanchi, Vaikunth Perumal temple and Shore temple at Mahabalipuram.
The earliest cave temples in South India also belong to Pallavas of Kanchi. This included Lakshitayatana Temple at Mandgappattu and Lalitankura's cave at Tiruchirapalli and some at Mamallapuram. Sanctums of these cave temples are guided by dvarapalas and dvarapalikas.

They set up their kingdom towards the beginning of the 6^th century AD in Western Deccan with Vatapi (modern day Badami) as its capital.
Pulakeshin I was the founder of this empire. He performed the Ashvamedha declaring himself a sovereign.
Pulakeshin II was a prominent ruler who is known to us by the eulogistic inscription of Aihole composed by Ravikirti.
He conquered Vengi in 610 AD and set up a new branch of Chalukyas of Vengi.
Another important ruler was Vikramaditya II who is said to have completely routed the Pallavas.
They were famous for the construction of stone temples in Karnataka. Some important temples include Papanatha temple and Virupaksha temple.
Chalukyas were brought down in 757 AD by Rashtrakutas.

Founded by Dantidurga in 743 AD by overthrowing Chalukya lord with its capital at Manyakheta or Mankir (Malkhed near Sholapur). He performed a ritual called hiranya-garbha, to give him status of Kshatriya.
They claimed the title of Sri-Prithvi-Vallabha. Hence, they are also called Vallabha dynasty.
Under the Rashtrakutas, cities and ports of Deccan began to trade in everything from indigo and perfumes to exotic poisons, fruits, animals and spices.
Rashtrakutas took advantage of this trade interaction and invited Arab merchants to serve as the governors of harbours. Fine Sanskrit verses were composed in honour of Arab merchants.
They were called ‘Ballahara’ by Arabs and ‘malik-al-muluk of al-Hind.’
Important rulers include Govinda III, Amoghavarsha, Indra III and Krishna III.
Dhruv (779-793 AD) crossed the Vindhyas and defeated both Pratihara king, Vatsaraja and Dharampala, Pala king. To commemorate his victories, he incorporated symbols of Ganga and Yamuna into Rashtrakuta emblem.

Amoghavarsha authored a book on poetics in Kannada known as Kavirajamarga.
Compiled great grammatical treatises in Kannada
Famous rock cut temple of Shiva known as Kailashnath temple at Ellora was built by Krishna I in 9^th century AD.
According to Arab writers ‘ladies did not veil their faces in the Rashtrakuta empire.
Pala, Rashtrakutas and Gurjara Pratiharas engaged in trilateral conflict for control over Kannauj.
Patronised Jainism as state religion.