Nandivarman II
Nandivarman II was a Pallava monarch who reigned in southern India. Sen states Nandivarman reigned from 731 to 796 and built the Vaikuntha-Perumal Temple. He was born in the country of Champa, in Simhapura into a local dynasty of Pallava origin and was elected as the Pallava monarch at the age of 13.
Biography
Paramesvaravarman II was succeeded by a 12-year-old Nandivarman II Pallavamalla who belonged to a collateral line of Pallavas called the Kadavas. The latter were the descendants of Bhimavarman, the brother of Simhavishnu. According to epigraphical findings, Hiranyavarman, the father of Nandivarman Pallavamalla belonged to the Kadavakula. Nandivarman II himself is described as "one who was born to raise the prestige of the Kadava family". He commissioned the Tiru Parameswara Vinnagaram.The term Kaduvetti in Tamil means "destroyer or clearer of forests" as the Pallavas, like their ancestor Mukkanti Kaduvetti alias Trilochana Pallava, were known to often clear forests and introduce civilization by settling communities.
The previous monarch Paramesvaravarman II did not have an heir so the ministers, feudatories and advisors of the state took an expedition to neighboring states and distant lands to find a suitable prince of the original line. Upon reaching Kambujadesa, they finally identified Nandivarman II as belonging to the original line and willing to ascend the throne. Accordingly, he was brought and then installed on the throne of the Pallava kingdom.
He married Reva, the daughter of the Rashtrakuta emperor Dantidurga around 751 CE. Their son Dantivarman succeeded him after his death in 796.