Narasimhavarman II

By the time Narasimhavarman II ascended the throne, the Pallavas were by large the most powerful military force in the subcontinent.

His father Parameswaravarman I was among the greatest of warrior monarchs of ancient India, the Amaravati Pallava inscription praises him of being: "As vigorous and strong as lord Sambhu (Shiva)".

That the Pallavas were recognized as a major power during his period is testified by the fact that he had a close relationship with Tang China.

[citation needed] In the 8th century, the Tang dynasty under Emperor Xuanzong, forged a military alliance with the Pallavas under Narasimhavarman II and made the latter the General of South China to safeguard Chinese territories and interests from the expanding Tibetan Empire.

The historian Nilakanta Sastri states that this embassy was definitely led by the venerated Southern Indian Buddhist Monk Vajrabodhi.

The Sanskrit litterateur Dandin spent several years in his court and was patronized by the monarch, but we do not know about his standing as the inscriptions denote considerable level of erudition .

[7] For all his accomplishments, Narasimhavarman II is mainly remembered as a foremost devotee of the God Shiva and a relentless, truthful, diehard warrior king who made sure that the Pallava power remained dominant in the subcontinent.

The God Shiva is famously known to have appeared in the monarch's dream and ordered him to adjourn his coronation as he wanted to first bless an impoverished saint in Pusalar.

[citation needed] In the Kasakudi plates of Nandivarman Pallavamalla, Narasimhavarman II is said to have bestowed his wealth on temples and Brahmanas.