Kalabhra Dynasty
The period between the Sangam Age and the Pallava-Pandya period, roughly between c. 300 CE and 600 CE, is known as the age of Kalabhras of the Kalabhra Dynasty in the history of Tamizhagam. As the three traditional kingdoms disappeared in this interval due to the occupation of their territory by a war-like group called the Kalabhras. Information about the origin and reign of the Kalabhras is uncertain and scarce. It was also supposed that many good traits of earlier Tamil culture disappeared in this interval.
Kalabhra interregnum
This period was called an interregnum or ‘dark age’ of Tamil history by earlier historians. The information about it is generally inferred from any mentions in the literature and inscriptions that are dated many centuries after their era ended.
But, this idea of the Kalabhra interregnum is no longer accepted as correct. Rather this is the time when the greatest Tamil work Tirukkural was written along with many other works grouped as the eighteen minor works. The epics Silappathikaram and Manimekalai also belong to this period. As this was the time when the non-orthodox religions, Jainism and Buddhism became more influential, the scholars of the orthodox Vedic Puranic school seem to have created the impression that the ruling Kalabhras of the time were evil in nature.
Origin of Kalabhra Dynasty
The origin and identity of the Kalabhras is uncertain. One theory states that they were probably hill tribes that rose out of obscurity to become a power in South India. Historical documents of the Vettuva Gounder community show that the Piramalai Kallars, who were formerly a criminal tribe of Tamil Nadu were the Kalabhras. Other theories state that they were Karnatas probably from the north of the Tamil-speaking region (modern southeast Karnataka), or on etymological grounds may have been the Kalappalars of the Vellala community or the Kalavar chieftains.
It is believed by historians that the Kalabhras belonged to the Vellalar community of warriors who were possibly once the feudatories of the Cholas and the Pallavas.
A few consider the Kalabhras to be a militant branch of the Jainas who were opposed to the Historical Vedic religion and this resulted in their vilification in later times. They spoke Tamil and Prakrit languages.
Nothing is known about the origins or tribal affiliations” of the Kalabhras, and their rule is called the “Kalabhra Interregnum”.
Kalabhra Revolt
According to Burton Stein, the Kalabhra interregnum may represent a strong bid by non-peasant (tribal) warriors for power over the fertile plains of Tamil region with support from the heterodox Indian religious tradition (Buddhism and Jainism). This may have led to persecution of the peasants and urban elites of the Brahmanical religious traditions (Hinduism), who then worked to remove the Kalabhras and retaliated against their persecutors after returning to power. In contrast, R.S. Sharma states the opposite theory and considers “Kalabhras as an example for peasant revolt to the state” – with tribal elements, albeit around the 6th century.
- During the Sangam age (from 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD), the South India was being ruled by the Chola, Pandya and Chera Kingdoms. During this period, Brahmins enjoyed a lot of privileges. Kalabhras revolted against this Brahmanic supremacy.
- The Kalabhra revolt started in 3rd century AD and lasted till 6th century AD. During this period, the Kalabhras came together in large numbers and revolted against the Chola, Pandya, Chera and Pallava kingdoms.
- When they came into power, they executed Brahmins on large scale, put ban on custom of granting lands to the Brahmins, collection of taxes from villages to run the temple affairs.
- The Kalabhras were called ‘Evil people’ by the citizens of Chola and Pandya kingdoms because of their barbaric attitude towards Brahmins and nobles of Royal family.
- Text from Early Cholas mentions king ‘Achyutavikranta‘ of the Kalabhara-dynasty, who ruled the Chola country from Kaveripattinam. He was a Buddhist. He kept princes of Chera ,Chola and Pandya as captive.
Inscriptions of Kalabhra Dynasty
The earliest Kalabhra inscription available is the Pulankurichi (Tamil Nadu) epigraph of king Chēndan Kurran (Kootran) dated to 270 CE. It is also one of the earliest inscriptions in Tamil and extends to over 15 metres in length. It refers to the administrative divisions of the kingdom and also to Vedic sacrifices and temples. Scholar Kamil Zvelebil indicates that the language of the inscription is almost identical to classical Tamil similar to the one used in the Tolkappiyam and Sangam texts.
A much-cited and discussed epigraphical evidence for the existence of Kalabhras is the 155-lines-long 8th-century Velvikudi grant copper plate inscription of Nedunjadaiyan.
Religion of the Kalabhra Dynasty
- The religious affiliation of Kalabhras is unknown. According to Peterson theory, the Kalabhras patronised the Sramana religions (Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivikas).
- More particularly, Peterson states, the Kalabhras may have supported the Digambara sect of Jainism and that they “supposedly” suppressed the Vedic-Hinduism religion that were well established in the Tamil regions by the 3rd century CE.
- Buddhism flourished as is evident from the writings of Buddhadatta (5th century) who wrote some of his manuals like Vinayavinicchaya and Abhidhammāvatāra among others on the banks of the Kaveri river.
- The Kalabhras encouraged building Buddhist monasteries in places like Bhoothamangala and Kaveripattinam, the early Chola capital.
- The early twin Tamil epics Silappatikaram (Jaina) and Manimekalai (Buddhist) were written under the patronage of the Kalabhras.
Downfall of Kalabhra Dynasty
It is unknown as to how the Kalabhras rule ended. However, a multitude of evidence affirms that Simhavishnu – the Pallava king had united the Tamil regions, removed Kalabhras and others, consolidated his kingdom from south of the Krishna river and up to the Kaveri river by c. 575 CE. To the south of Kaveri, the Pandyas were already in power at that time. The Kalabhra rule which had dominated the political scene of the Tamil country for few centuries was defeated and ended by the Chalukyas, Pandyas, and Pallavas.
- The Kalabhras kept on invading territories belonging to the Pandyas, Cholas and Pallavas.
- Fed up with this, the three kingdoms of the Tamil region came together to put an end to the rule of the Kalabhras.
- King Simhavishnu of the Pallava dynasty defeated the Kalabhras .
- Similarly, Pandyan king Kadungon ended the Kalabhra rule in the southern Tamil region. He is credited for the triumph of Brahmanism over the evil Kalabhras.
- The Chola, Pallava, and Pandyas gained power in South India after the end of the Kalabhra dynasty in the 6th century AD.
Conclusion
The recent interpretation of the period takes it as a period of transition leading to enlarged state societies under the Pallavas ruling over northern Tamilnadu and the Pandyas in the south from the sixth century onwards. To start with, the rulers of these new states were patrons of the Jain and Buddhist religions and gradually they came under the spell of the orthodox Vedic Puranic religion emerging in the form of the Bhakti cults of Saivism and Vaishnavism. But the influence of Jain and Buddhist religions on the general society was so strong as to evoke much aversion from the Bhakti saints.
