The Pallava Dynasty and Nandi Varman II

Who was the Pallava king who died in AD 731, leading to an existential crisis in the Pallava kingdom?

• a) Parameswara Varman I

• b) Parameswara Varman II

• c) Simha-Vishnu

• d) Vikramaditya

What was the main concern of the Pallava kingdom after the death of their king in AD 731?

• a) Economic decline

• b) Threats from neighboring empires

• c) Religious conflicts

• d) Crop failures

Where was the capital of the Pallava kingdom located?

• a) Chennai

• b) Mahabalipuram

• c) Kanchipuram

• d) Andhra Pradesh

Why did the Pallava assembly decide to find a new ruler for their kingdom after the king's death?

• a) They wanted a younger ruler

• b) They wanted to strengthen ties with a distant land

• c) There was no suitable heir

• d) The former king had been exiled

Who eventually accepted the offer to become the new Pallava king, and how old was he at the time?

• a) Vikramaditya, aged 30

• b) Simha-Vishnu, aged 18

• c) Nandi Varman II, aged 12

• d) Parameswara Varman II, aged 25

Why did Nandi Varman II face doubts about his claim to the throne?

• a) He was not a descendant of the Pallava dynasty

• b) His mother was from a rival kingdom

• c) The rival claimant Skanda had more support

• d) His age and lack of experience raised concerns

How do we know about the story of Nandi Varman II and his rule?

• a) It is mentioned in a famous Indian epic

• b) It is documented in Nandi Varman II's autobiography

• c) It is told through inscriptions and bas-relief panels

• d) It is part of a modern-day historical novel

What did the author find interesting about the sculptures in the Vaikuntha Perumal temple?

• a) They depicted European travelers

• b) They showed African influences

• c) They had unmistakably oriental facial features

• d) They were entirely abstract in design

What is the significance of the connection between the Pallavas and the Cambodians?

• a) They shared a common language

• b) They were part of the same empire

• c) The Khmer script was derived from the Pallavas

• d) They had similar religious beliefs

What does the passage suggest about the possible origins of the Pallava dynasty?

• a) They originated in Sri Lanka

• b) They had north Indian ancestry

• c) They may have had roots in South East Asia

• d) They were descended from the Parthian Empire