The Kalabhra dynasty or kingdom reigned on the whole Ancient Tamil Country during the period between the third and sixth century. This phase of time is referred to as the Kalabhra rule in the history of South India.
About Kalabhra Interregnum
The Kalabhra Interregnum is a phase of the Kalabhra dynasty. The Kalabhras played a key role in ousting the dynasties of the early Pandayans, early Cholas, and Chera. Documents and records about its beginning and rule are rare. There are no memorials or relics left over by the Kalabhra dynasty. The exclusive source of details includes isolated citations in Jain and Buddhist writings. Close to the sixth century, the Kalabhra dynasty was moved out of power with the resurgence of the Pandya and Pallava dynasties.
Recognition of the Kalabhras
The recognition of the Kalabhras is a complicated process. The heads of this clan cited in Sangam writings and texts are Pulli of Tirupati or Vengadam and Tiraiyan of Pavattiri. It is assumed that the Kalabhras might have been put out of power from their territory in the vicinity of Tirupati as a result of political happenings of the third century, for instance the decline of the Satvahanas and the ascent of the Pallavas, which led to a political disorder in the Tondaimandalam area.
The Kalabhras are recognized as the Kalappalar tribe in Tamil Nadu by P.T. Srinivasa Iyengar. It is believed that they traveled from the territory of Karnataka.
Proof from writings and text
The chronicles of the Cholas of Tiruchirapalli or Uraiyur are extremely vague during the period of fourth century and ninth century, mostly because of the conquering of the nation by the Kalabhras.
The famous author of Pali language, Buddhadatta, was a resident of Uraiyur. He states that King Achchutavikranta of the Kalabharakula, a person who lived during the same time when he lived, dominated on the Chola nation from Kaveripattinam. This ruler was a follower of the Buddhist religion. The mythical culture of Tamil cites an Achchuta who detained the monarchs of the Chola, Chera, and Pandya dynasties. Founded on the contemporaneousness of Buddhaghosha with Buddhadatta, Achchuta might belong to the fifth century. As a result of this, following the Sangam period, the Chola rulers were compelled into gloom by the Kalabhras who upset the peaceful political situation of the Tamil territory.
King Achuta revered Vaisnava Tirumal, and a number of researchers assume this signifies that the Kalabhras supported the Hindu religion.
Causes for the disapproval of the Kalabhras
When the Kalabhras attacked the Tamil nation, they upset the reigning dynasty. According to the Velvikudi writings of the third year of reign of Pandya monarch Nedunjadaiyan who ruled from c.765 - c. 815, the settlement of Velvikudi was bequeathed by Mudukudumi Peruvaludi, a Pandya monarch in the form of brahmadeya (endowment to a Brahmin). The Brahmins benefited from this for an extensive period. Subsequently, a Kali ruler whose name was Kalabhran seized the huge territory, dispelling many prominent rulers.
Decline of Kalabhras
The dominance of Kalabhras in South India was terminated by the defiance and raids by the Chalukyas, Pandyas, and Pallava rulers. However, there are other citations to the Kalabhras in Chalukya and Pallava writings. They were overpowered by Pandya Kadungon and Pallava Simhavishnu.
Last Updated on 02 November 2011
