Question

Discuss in detail the religion of the Pallavas.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Give a note of the religions of the period and patronage of the rulers.
• Describe the rise of the Bhakti cult.

Solution:

• The Pallavas supported Jainism, Buddhism and the Vedic religion.
• Some of the Pallava kings also patronised the Azhwars and Nayanmars.
• A new form of Vaishnavism(Nammazhvar and Andal) and Saivism(Appar and Manikkavasakkar) was preached by the exponents of the Bhakti Cult.
• The prayers in the Bhakti movement were mostly in Tamil rather than in Sanskrit and women were also encouraged to participate in the religious congregations.
• Buddhism and Jainism suffered a gradual decline with the rise of this cult.