Pallavas Civilization: Societal Evolution and Economic Flourish

During the reign of the Pallavas, society and economy in southern India underwent significant transformations. With the establishment of the caste system, Sanskrit gained prominence, and Kanchipuram emerged as a center of learning. Brahmins enjoyed elevated status and received substantial land grants, while lower strata engaged in various occupations. The economy relied heavily on rural revenue sources, trade flourished, and maritime commerce extended to Southeast Asia.

Pallavas: Society, Economy, and Maritime Trade

A. Society during Pallavas Rule

• Establishment of the Caste System: The caste system became firmly established, and Sanskrit gained high regard.
• Aryanisation and Northern Influence: Aryanisation and northern influence on the south accelerated, evident from the royal grants issued by the kings. 
• Kanchipuram: remained a significant centre of learning. 
• Emergence of Poet-Saints: The followers of the Vedic religion were devoted to the worship of Shiva.
  • Notable Shaiva (Nayanmars) and Vaishnava (Alwars) poet-saints lived during Mahendravarman’s time.
• Elevation of Brahmin Status: Brahmins’ status was elevated, and they received substantial land grants. 
  • Aryanisation: It is reflected in the transformation of educational institutions. 
    • Initially, education was controlled by Jains and Buddhists, but gradually the Brahmins superseded them.
  • Brahmins: served as royal advisers in literature, astronomy, and law and were engaged in teaching, agriculture, trade, and warfare.
    • Further, they enjoyed exemptions from taxes and capital punishment.
• Sat-kshatryas (a group within Kshatriya): played a significant role in ruling the state. 
  • They were engaged in trading and warfare.
  • They also enjoyed the right to read the Vedas. 
• Lower Strata of Society: were engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, and handicrafts. 
• Occupations Outside the Varna System: People engaged in scavenging, fishing, dry-cleaning and leather works were positioned outside the varna system.

B. Economy During Pallavas

Revenue and Taxation

• Sources of Revenue: Revenue primarily came from rural sources, with urban and mercantile institutions being unplanned.
• Documentation of Land Grants: Land grants recorded on copper plates give detailed information on land revenues and taxation in the Pallava period.
• Taxation System: Two taxes were imposed on villages:
  • Land revenue paid by cultivators to the state (1/6th to 1/10th of the produce).
  • Local taxes for village services like repairing irrigation works and illuminating temples. 
• Additional Taxes: were levied on various professions and activities like draught cattle, toddy drawers, potters, goldsmiths, etc., when state land tax fell short.
• Warfare and Revenue: War loot contributed to the state’s revenue, underscoring the importance of warfare to the Pallavas.

Trade

• Trade Hub: Kanchipuram held significant importance as a trading hub.
• Regulation of Trade: The merchants had to obtain a licence to market their goods.
• Evolution of Currency: Initially, a barter system was prevalent, but later, Pallavas introduced gold and silver coins.
• Merchant Organisations: like Manigramam were established to regulate trade. Traders formed guilds, identifying themselves as Sudesi,Nanadesi, Ainurruvar, and others.
• Guilds and Trade Identification: The primary guild operated at Aihole.
  • Foreign Merchants: Foreign merchants were called Nanadesi. 
  • Distinctive Flags: They had a separate flag with the figure of a bull at the centre, and enjoyed the right to issue vira-sasanas.

Maritime Trade

• International Commerce: The Pallavas had maritime trade with south-east Asia. 
• Guild Authority and Titles: The guild’s jurisdiction extended over Southeast Asia, with its chief known as Pattanswamy, Pattnakilar, and Dandanayaka in inscriptions and their members were referred to as Ayyavole-Parameswariyar.
• Commodities: Foreign trade involved exporting spices, cotton textiles, precious stones, and medicinal plants to regions including Java, Sumatra, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, and Burma.
• Key Seaport for Pallava Trade: Mamallapuram served as a crucial seaport for trade with Southeast Asia, which included three significant kingdoms: Kambuja(Cambodia), Champa (Annam), and Srivijaya (the southern Malaya peninsula and Sumatra). 
• West Coast Trade: On the West Coast, trade was gradually dominated by foreign traders, mainly Arabs, with Indian traders becoming suppliers of goods rather than carriers.

Conclusion

The Pallava era was characterized by social stratification, economic prosperity, and cultural exchanges. Brahmins enjoyed elevated status, while other social groups engaged in diverse occupations. Revenue generation relied on land taxes, supplemented by trade and war booty. The Pallavas played a significant role in fostering maritime commerce, facilitating connections with distant lands and enriching their society and economy through cultural exchange and economic prosperity.