The Genealogy of the Pallavas
From Brahmins to Kings
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12908430 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Emmanuel Francis (0009-0003-3952-8769, Universität Hamburg, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 1-2 |
| Pages | 339-363 |
| Publication date | 2012-05-23 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions of South Asia (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1751-2689 • E-ISSN: 1751-2697 |
| Publisher | Equinox Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1558/rosa.v5i1/2.339 |
| OpenAlex | W2026159844 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
In their epigraphical genealogies the Pallavas of South India (fourth to ninth centuries CE) claim to belong to a brahmin lineage that gradually embraced the duty of kings. As such, these genealogies present a definition of kingship that differs from its Brahmanical conceptualization. I show how the Pallavas accounted in their ‘mythical genealogies’ for their royal occupation through a transformation in two steps: from pure brahmins to brahmin-warriors, and from brahmin-warriors to kings. I explain how the birth of the eponymous hero Pallava, from Asvatthaman and a mother who has a strong link with royalty, marks the shift towards kingship. I describe how this royal status of the dynasty is confirmed by the integration of royal figures from other dynasties into the ‘pseudo-historical genealogies’ that link the eponym to the historical kings. I then explore the mythical patrimony of the Pallavas, discussing how we might understand in a broader context the ideological purport of this royal claim to both brahmin and ksatriya descent
Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Biology · Context (archaeology · Eponym · Genealogy · Lineage (genetic · Literature · Monarchy · Ninth · Politics · Anthropological Studies and Insights · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Law · South Asian Studies and Conflicts
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,15 |
| Citation span | 2013 - 2016 (4) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |