Why in the News?
A commemorative postage stamp honouring Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was recently released by the Vice President of India, highlighting his importance in early medieval South Indian history.
About Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar
• Reign period: c. 705 AD to 745 AD
• Also known as Suvaran Maran and Shatrubhayankar
• Belonged to the Mutharaiyar lineage of Tamil Nadu
• Known as a brave warrior, able administrator, and patron of learning
• Fought alongside Pallava king Nandivarman II in several battles
• Represents the phase of powerful Pallava feudatories gaining autonomy
Religious and Cultural Patronage
• Patron of Shaivism
• Jain monk Vimalachandra visited his court for religious and philosophical debates
• Reflects religious tolerance and intellectual exchange
Who were the Mutharaiyars
• A prominent chieftain clan of early medieval Tamil Nadu
• Served as feudatories of the Pallava dynasty
• Gained political prominence as Pallava authority weakened
• Eventually ruled as independent regional powers
Territorial Influence
• Dominated regions along the Cauvery river basin
• Key areas: Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli
• Controlled fertile agrarian zones and cultural centres
Architectural Contributions
• Renowned temple builders under Pallava influence
• Major contributors to rock cut cave temples
• Cave temple activity continued till the early ninth century
• Acted as a link between Pallava and early Chola architecture
| Consider the following events in the history of India: (2020)
(1) Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja (2) Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I (3) Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I (4) Pala dynasty founded by Gopala What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time? (a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3 (b) 3 – 1 – 4 – 2 (c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3 (d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2 |
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