Empires and Kingdoms | Class 7 Social Science Notes

The Deccan and Beyond

The Deccan Plateau and southern India during this period were politically vibrant with several powerful kingdoms. The Chalukya dynasty, founded by Pulakeshin I in the mid-6th century CE, had its capital at Vatapi (modern Badami, Karnataka), known for its Hindu and Jain cave temples. Pulakeshin II, his grandson, expanded the kingdom and successfully resisted Harshavardhana’s southward expansion. The Chalukyas’ earlier capital, Aryapura (Aihole), is famous for over a hundred temples of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths. The Eastern Chalukyas, an offshoot, ruled from Vengi (modern Andhra Pradesh) and promoted Telugu and Kannada literature. The Pallavas, with their capital at Kanchipuram, reached their peak under Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla), who defeated Pulakeshin II and captured Badami briefly. The Pallavas were patrons of art, architecture, and literature, developing trade relations with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia through ports like Mamallapuram, famous for its rock-cut temples and reliefs depicting Hindu deities. The Pandyas, Cheras, and Cholas were prominent kingdoms in the far south. The Cholas, revived under Vijayalaya in the 9th century with their capital at Tanjavur, expanded by defeating the Pallavas and became known for their efficient administration, powerful navy, and grand temples. They patronized Tamil and Sanskrit literature and promoted agriculture through irrigation in the Kaveri delta. This period saw inscriptions in both Sanskrit and regional languages, reflecting linguistic diversity and administrative sophistication.

📊 Diagram: Fig. 3.16. Map of main kingdoms in Deccan and southern India; Fig. 3.17. Meguti temple at Aihole with inscription; Fig. 3.18. Granite relief of goddess Durga at Mamallapuram; Fig. 3.19. Panel depicting warriors at Airavatesvara temple; Fig. 3.20. Early Chola bronze sculpture of Nataraja.

🧪 Activity: Observe the dynamic composition of the Durga relief and identify her weapons and vahana; discuss the significance of inscriptions in Sanskrit and regional languages.

🔗 Connection: Prepares for understanding social, economic, and cultural developments during this period.