Nandivarman II
Nandivarman II (Tamil: நந்திவர்மன் பல்லவமல்ல ""Nandivarman Pallavamalla""; 718 CE - 796 CE) was a Pallava ruler who ruled in South India. Sen states Nandivarman reigned from 731 CE – 796 CE and built the Vaikuntha-Perumal Temple. He was born in the country of Champa (modern day Vietnam) into a local dynasty of Pallava origin and was elected as a Pallava king at the age of 13. Background. Paramesvaravarman II was succeeded by 12 year old Nandivarman II Pallavamalla who belonged to the collateral line of Pallavas called the Kadavas. The latter were the descendants of Bhimavarman, the brother of  Simhavishnu. Hiranyavarman, the father of Nandivarman Pallavamalla is said to have belonged to the Kadavakula in epigraphs. Nandivarman II himself is described as "one who was born to raise the prestige of the Kadava family". 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 Brahmins and other communities. The previous ruler Paramesvaravarman II did not have an heir so the ministers, feudatories and advisors of the kingdom took an expedition to neighboring kingdoms and distant lands  to find a suitable prince of the original line. Upon reaching Kambujadesa, modern day Cambodia and southern Vietnam, 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.