Page 94 - SST Class 06

distant areas and sold them off from temple Vishnu (alvars) and Lord Shiva (nayannars).
complexes. Temples were also centers of dance Travelling from place to place, they sang hymns
and music. Finally, temples functioned as schools in praise of God. These hymns were in Tamil, the
and children were taught by the priests in temple language of the common people. They con-
courtyards. demned caste differences and attacked the

South Indian temples were extremely rich. They practice of conducting rituals and ceremonies.
owned revenue – yielding land. Many of them These people commanded great respect in South
also participated in overland and overseas trade. India. They greatly influenced the bhakti saints.
Thus, their presence was drat in every sphere of Decline of the Pallavas
life in South India. The Pallavas were invaded by the Chalukyan
Tamil Saints army and posed a major threat to its capital,
At this time, a group of people in South Indian Kanchipuram. The Pallava power came to an
believed that religion meant bhakti or selfless end with the defeat of their last king,
devotion to God. They were popularly known as Aparajitavarman, by the Chola king close to the
the Tamil Saints. They were devotees of Lord 9th century.

Terminology

Extemped : done or said without any preparation
Monolithic : formed of a single large block of stone

Inside Story
Inside Story
g During the end of 5th century AD, the Gupta Empire began to disintegrate.

g Harshavardhana was one of the most important Indian emperors of the 7th Century.
g Harsha began ruling in AD 606.
g Chalukyas ruled from Raichur Doab which was situated between the rivers of Krishna and
Tungabhadra.

g Temples played a very important role in South Indian history.
g The Pallavas were invaded by the Chalukyan army and posed a major threat to its capital,
Kanchipuram.

A. Tick (3) the correct option.

1. Harshavardhana was one of the most important Indian emperors of the:
(a) 6th century (b) 8th century (c) 7th century
2. ___________ ruled from Raichur Doab which was situated between the rivers of Krishna
and Tungabhadra.
(a) Pallavas (b) Chalukyas (c) Mughals

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