The first great dynasty to control the Tamil plain was that of the Pallavas, whose rulers introduced many features of northern civilization into the south.
Between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas were several minor kingdoms, usually tributary to one of the greater powers, but always ready to become independent whenever they found an opportunity. Among these the Kadambas are worth mentioning because of their origin.
The line was founded in the fourth century by a young Brahman, Mayurasarman, who gave up his studies and became leader of a troop of bandits, and levied protection money from villages in the hilly western part of the Pallava kingdom.
In the end the Pallava king recognized Mayurasarman as a vassal; he established his capital at VanavasI in Mysore and his descendants were classed as Kshatriyas, though they re member their Brahman ancestry with pride.
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In the ninth century the Pallavas gave way to the Cholas, who claimed descent from the early Tamil kings of the same surname who had disappeared from history over 500 years earlier. The Cholas are noteworthy for their patronage of art and architecture-splendid temples with majestic towers and fine sculpture, especially in bronze, were produced during their rule.
To some extent they revived the tradition of bureaucracy, and developed a more centralized form of government than that of most other Indian kingdoms, finding a place in the system for village councils, usually chosen by lot, the records of whose deliberations are still to be seen engraved on the walls of village temples in various parts of Tamilnadu.