Pallava history

The Pallava dynasty was an Indian dynasty that existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, ruling a portion of southern India. They gained prominence after the eclipse of the Satavahana dynasty, in which the Pallavas served as feudatories. Pallavas became a major power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (571 – 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 – 668 CE) and dominated the Telugu and northern parts of the Tamil region for about 600 years until the end of the 9th century. Pallavas are well known for their architectural patronage and for the introduction of the new Dravidian style of Indian architecture, with the finest example being the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pallavas were the ones who had laid the foundations of medieval South Indian architecture by constructing impressive temples and sculptures.

In Tondaimandalam region, sculptural art has witnessed a tremendous growth in Pallava period (circa 610 C.E. - 913 C.E.) involving innovative ideas, reflective of the then socio-cultural, religious and economic factors. Study on Pallava sculptures fascinated art connoisseurs and historians since the last few decades of the 18th century C.E., when for the first time William Chambers has made an attempt to describe the monuments of Mamallapuram. However, most of the works dealt with iconographical and architectural features, giving very little importance to the cultural factors hidden in the sculptures. Among the various objects depicted in the sculptural art which reflects the material culture of those times, the study of thrones, which symbolizes status, dignity and identification of the person occupying it, forms an interesting subject. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the various types of thrones depicted in the sculptural art of Pallava period, which might have been actually in usage in those times. The present study helped in identifying ten types of thrones, on the basis of its shape, dimension and other aesthetic features. As foot-rest is also part of a throne, it is also studied.