The Pallava Dynasty

Pallavas were the feudatories of the Saatvahana. The first important ruler of this dynasty was Siva Skandavarman. Although they had their presence in the 5th and 6th centuries, but gained prominence at the end of the 6th century AD. Pallavas ruled in the Andhra Pradesh but managed to extend their territories to the Tamil nadu during the time of Mahendravarman.

Simhavishnu  (575 to 600 AD) defeated Cholas in war and also gained upper-hand over his neighbor, Ceylon. He was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman I.
When Mahendravarman I became the king, the tripartite struggle of Pallavas with the Cholas and the Chalukyas of Vatapi started.  The Chaulukya King Pulakesin II defeated Mahendravarman at the battle of Pullalur and captured Kanchi, its capital.

Narsimhavaram I
He was the son and successor of Mahendravarman I.  He defeated Pulakesin II and killed him in the battle. He also defeated the Cholas, the Cheras and the pandyas.
He was also a great builder and Mamallapuram was embellished during his period. During his reign, Hiuen-Tsang visited his kingdom.

Narasimhavarman I was succeeded by Narasimhavarman II who in turn was succeeded by Paramesvaravarman. In the 8th century AD, Nandivarman was defeated by the Chalukya King Vikramaditya II in the 8th century AD and by the close of 9th century the power of Pallavas declined.