History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c7.s1.34

c7.s1.34

Consideration of the Theory.—According to this theory the Pallavas were of Chōḷa-Nāga origin and were indigenous to the southern part of the peninsula and Ceylon. They had nothing to do with Western India, Persia, the Chūṭu-Nāgas, Suviśāka and others. But there are certain difficulties in accepting this view as correct. The earliest members of the Pallava family that we know from copper-plate inscriptions do not include either Toṇḍamān-Iḷam-Tiraiyan or any member of the Chōḷa-Nāga dynasty. On the other hand, they describe themselves as members of the Bhāradvāja-gotra and as the performers of Aśvamēdha, Vājapēya and other sacrifices.