The
Kalabhras dynasty () ruled over the entire
Ancient Tamil country between the 3rd and the 6th century C.E. in an era of
South Indian history called the
Kalabhra interregnum. The Kalabhras displaced the kingdoms of the
early Cholas,
early Pandayan and
Chera dynasties. Information about its origin and reign is scarce. The Dynasty left neither artifacts nor monuments, and the only sources of information are scattered mentions in
Buddhist and
Jain literature. The Kalabhras were displaced around the 6th century with the revival of
Pallava and Pandya power.
Identification Kalabhras
The identification of the Kalabhras is difficult. The most satisfactory theory identifies the Kalabhras with the
Kalavar. The chieftains of this tribe mentioned in
Sangam literature are Tiraiyan of Pavattiri and Pulli of Vengadam or
Tirupati. The latter is described as the cattle lifting robber chief of the frontier. The Kalavar must have been dislodged from their habitat near Tirupati by political events of the third century A.D., viz. the fall of the
Satavahanas and the rise of
Pallavas, resulting in political confusion in
Tondaimandalam. They have also been identified with the line of
Muttaraiyar of
Kondubalur eighth to eleventh century C.E. Another view is that the Kalabhras were
Kalappalar, belonging to the
Vellalar community referred to in Tamil literature and inscriptions.
Evidence from Literature
The history of
Cholas of
Uraiyur (Tiruchirappalli) is exceedingly obscure from fourth to the ninth century C.E., chiefly owing to the occupation of their country by the Kalabhras.
Buddhadatta, the great writer in
Pali, belonged to Uraiyur. He mentions his contemporary, King Achchutavikranta of the Kalabharakula, as ruling over the Chola country from
Kaveripattinam. He was a Buddhist. Tamil literary tradition refers to an Achchuta who kept the Chera, Chola and Pandya kings in captivity. On the basis of the contemporaneity of Buddhadatta with
Buddhaghosha, Achchuta may be assigned to the fifth century. Thus, after the Sangam age, the Cholas were forced into obscurity by the Kalabhras, who disturbed the placid political conditions of the Tamil country.
Reasons for the Unpopularity
Kalabhras, by invading the Tamil country, disturbed the prevailing order. The Velvikudi inscriptions of the third regnal year of Pandya king
Nedunjadaiyan (c.765 - c. 815 C.E.) say that Pandya king
Mudukudumi Peruvaludi gave the village of
Velvikudi as brahmadeya (gift to a Brahmins). It was enjoyed for a long time. Then a Kali king named Kalabhran took possession of the extensive earth, driving away numberless great kings.
Patrons of Literature
The period of Kalabhras was marked by the ascendancy of Buddhism, and probably also of Jainism. It was characterized by considerable literary activity in Tamil. Most of the works grouped under the head, 'The Eighteen Minor works' might have been written during this period as also the Cilappadhikaram, Manimekalai and other works. Many of the authors were characterised as belonging to the `heretical' sects (meaning Buddhists and Jains). However, the great Tamil lexicographer Vaiyapuri Pillai had ascribed later dates to many of these works. This theory would undermine the link between the Kalabhras and the Eighteen Minor works.
Religion
It is known that the Kalabhras as patronized Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Some modern writers have described them as against Hinduism although according to inscriptions that simply is not true.
The late Kalabras appear to have been
Shivite and
Vaishnava. Scholar F.E. Hardy traced the palace ceremony to a Vishnu or Mayon temple to the rule of the Kalabras.
Scholar Alice Justina Thinakaran writes that perhaps they were Shaivite Hindu, Jain or Buddhist.
They are known for patronizing
Skanda or
Subramanya, the Hindu god. They imprinted his image on their 5th-century coins, especially from Kaveripumpapattinam rulers.
King Achuta had worshiped Vaisnava Tirumal, and some scholars believe this means that the Kalabhras patronized Hinduism.
Fall of Kalabhras
The rule of Kalabhras of South India was ended by the counter invasions of Pandyas, Chalukyas and Pallavas. There are other references to the Kalabhras in Pallava and Chalukya inscriptions. They were conquered by Pallava
Simhavishnu and Pandya
Kadungon.
See also
Other sources
- The Kalabhras in the Pandiya Country and Their Impact on the Life and Letters There, By M. Arunachalam, Published by University of Madras, 1979
