concentrated on domestic matters. He was a worshipper of Vishnu and a great
Successors Successors of Nandivarman II were Dantivarman (796–847),
Nandivarman III (847–69), Nripatunga (869–99) and Aparajita (899–903).
The last nail in the coffin was driven by Aditya Chola by defeating Aparajita
Pallava towards the end of the ninth century AD. However, the Pallava chiefs
continued to exist till the end of the 13th century AD as feudatories.
Contribution of the Pallavas
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
The development of temple architecture, particularly Dravida style, under
the Pallavas can be seen in four stages.
Mahendra Group The influence of the cave style of architecture is to
be seen in this group. Examples: are the rock-cut temples at
Bhairavakonda (North Arcot district), and Anantesvara temple at
Undavalli (Guntur district).
Narasimha Group They comprises the rathas or monolithic temples,
each of which is hewn out of a single rock-boulder. These monolithic
temples are found at Mamallapuram. The rathas, popularly called the
Seven Pagodas, are actually eight in number. They are (1) Dharmaraja, (2)
Bhima, (3) Arjuna, (4) Sahadeva, (5) Draupadi, (6) Ganesa, (7) Pidari and
(8) Valaiyankuttai.
Rajasimha Group There are five examples of this group—the at
Mahabalipuram (Shore, Isvara and Mukunda temples), one at Panamalai
in South Arcot, and the temple of Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi. Among
all these, the most mature example is the last one.
Nandivarman Group This group mostly consists of small temples
except the Vaikuntaperumal temple at Kanchi and in no way forms an
advance on the achievements of the previous age. But they are more
ornate, resembling the Chola architecture. The best examples are the
temples of Muktesvara and Matangesvara at Kanchi, the Vadamalisvara at
Orgadam (near Chingalput), and the Parasuramesvara at Gudimallam
(near Renigunta).