The kalabhras were replaced by the --------at kanchi in north tamil nadu
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The Kalabhra dynasty (Tamil: களப்பிரர் Kalappirar[1]) ruled over the entire ancient Tamil country between the 3rd and the 7th century in an era of South Indian history called the Kalabhra interregnum. The Kalabhras, possibly Jain, displaced the kingdoms of the early Cholas, early Pandyas and Chera dynasties by a revolt.
Information about the origin and reign of the Kalabhras is scarce. They left neither artefacts nor monuments, and the only sources of information are scattered mentions in Sangam, Buddhist and Jain literature. The Kalabhras were defeated by the joint efforts of the Pallavas, Pandyas and Chalukyas of Badami. Pancha Gowda Brahmins arrived in Tamilnadu during Kalabhras regime.[citation needed]
Contents
1 Identification
2 Evidence from literature
3 Reasons for the unpopularity
4 Patrons of literature
5 Religion
6 Fall of the Kalabhras
7 Further reading
8 Notes
9 References
Identification
The origin and identity of the Kalabhras is uncertain. They are generally believed to have been hill tribes that rose out of obscurity to become a power in South India.[2] Their kings were likely followers of Buddhism and Jainism.[3] Some of their coins feature images such as a seated Jain monk, the Buddhist Bodhisattva Manjushri, or the Swastika symbol, with Prakrit inscriptions in Brahmi script on the other side. Later specimens dating towards the 6th century employ both Prakrit and Tamil in their inscriptions and feature images of Hindu gods and goddesses.[4]
A number of theories have been advanced for the identity of the Kalabhras. T. A. Gopinath Rao equates them with the Muttaraiyars and an inscription in the Vaikunta Perumal temple at Kanchi mentions a Muttaraiyar named as Kalavara-Kalvan. The word Kalabhra might possibly be a Sanskrit derivation of the Tamil Kalvan. M. Raghava Iyengar, on the other hand, identifies the Kalabhras with the Vellala Kalappalars.[4] The c. 770 Velvikudi plates of the Pandyan king Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan mention the Kalabhras and R. Narasimhacharya and V. Venkayya believe them to have been Karnatas.[5][6] K. R. Venkatarama Iyer suggests that the Kalabhras might have settled in the Bangalore-Chittoor region early in the 5th century.[4]
Evidence from literature
The history of Cholas of Uraiyur (Tiruchirappalli) is exceedingly obscure from 4th to the 9th century, chiefly owing to the occupation of their country by the Kalabhras. Buddhadatta, the great writer in Pali, belonged to Uraiyur. He mentions his contemporary, King Achyutavikranta of the Kalabharakula, as ruling over the Chola country from Kaveripumpattinam. He was a Buddhist. Tamil literary tradition refers to an Achyuta who kept the Chera, Chola and Pandya rulers in captivity. On the basis of the contemporaneity of Buddhadatta with Buddhaghosha, Achyuta may be assigned to the 5th century. Thus, after the Sangam age, the Cholas were forced into obscurity by the Kalabhras, who disturbed the placid political conditions of the Tamil country.[citation needed] The Kalabhras are mentioned in Cāḷukya, Pallava and Pāṇḍyan copper-plates, indicating Kalabhras presence from the sixth to the eight century. These records suggest that the Kalabrha Dynasty was overcome and never ruled in South India.[7]
Reasons for the unpopularity
Kalabhras, by ruling the Tamil country, disturbed the prevailing order. The Velvikudi inscription from the third regnal year of Pandya ruler Nedunjadaiyan (c. 765 – c. 815) say that Pandya ruler Mudukudumi Peruvaludi gave the village of Velvikudi as Brahmadeya (gift to the Brahmins). They enjoyed it for a long time. Then a Kali king named Kalabhran took possession of the extensive earth, driving away numberless great kings.[citation needed]
Patrons of literature
Outline of South Asian history
Palaeolithic (2,500,000–250,000 BC)[show]
Neolithic (10,800–3300 BC)[show]
Chalcolithic (3500–1500 BC)[show]
Bronze Age (3300–1300 BC)[show]
Iron Age (1500–200 BC)[show]
Middle Kingdoms (230 BC – AD 1206)[show]
Late medieval period (1206–1526)[show]
Early modern period (1526–1858)[show]
Colonial states (1510–1961)[show]
Periods of Sri Lanka [show]
National histories[show]
Regional histories[show]
Specialised histories[show]
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The period of Kalabhras was marked by the ascendancy of Buddhism, and probably also of Jainism. It was characterized by considerable literary activity in Tamil. Most of the works grouped under the head, "The Eighteen Minor works" might have been written during this period as also the Silappadhikaram, Manimegalai and other works. Many of the authors were characterised as belonging to the "heretical" sects (meaning Buddhists and Jains). However, the great Tamil lexicographer Vaiyapuri Pillai had ascribed later dates to many of these works. This theory would undermine the link between the Kalabhras and the "Eighteen Minor works".[8][unreliable source?]
Kalabhra Empire
250–600
Kalabhra territories
Kalabhra territories
Capital
Kaveripumpattinam, Madurai
Common languages
Prakrit, Tamil
Religion
Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism
Christianity
Government
Monarchy
Maharaja[citation needed]
• 5th century
Achyutavikranta
•
Tiraiyan of Pavattiri
•
Pulli of Vengadam
Tirupati
Historical era
Classical Indiag
• 3rd century
c. 250
• 7th century
c. 600
Preceded by Succeeded by
Ancient Tamil country
Pallava dynasty
Pandyan dynasty
Information about the origin and reign of the Kalabhras is scarce. They left neither artefacts nor monuments, and the only sources of information are scattered mentions in Sangam, Buddhist and Jain literature. The Kalabhras were defeated by the joint efforts of the Pallavas, Pandyas and Chalukyas of Badami. Pancha Gowda Brahmins arrived in Tamilnadu during Kalabhras regime.