Question

The Pallava King who destroyed Vatapi and assumed the title of Vatapikonda was _______?

(a) Mahendravarman I

(b) Narasimhavarman I

(c) Nandivarman II

(d) Aparajitavarman

Answer 1

Hint: The battle of Vatapi was fought between Pallavas and the Chalukyas. The victorious king built a Mallikarjuna temple, commemorating his win in the Battle of Vatapi. He was named after an avatar of Vishnu.

Complete answer:
 In 617-18, the Pallava kingdom was attacked and defeated by Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. At that king Mahendravarman, I was sitting on the Pallavas’ throne.
Then, in 630, Narasimhavarman I succeeded his father, Mahendravarman I to the throne. Under his rule, the state flourishes and becomes a powerful one. Witnessing the state emerging to be a powerful one, Pulakeshin II again planned a second expedition of the Kingdom. However, this time Narasimhavarman I counter-attacked the Chalukyas in three different territories namely Pariyala, Suramana, and Manimangalam. In 642, Narasimhavarman I sent his force to capture and destroy Vatapi, which was the capital of Chalukyas. In this battle, Pulakeshin II loses his life. After the victory, Narasimhavarman I constructed a temple devoted to Maliikarjuna, commemorating his victory in Vatapi. He also took the title of ‘Vatapikondan’ which literally translates to ‘taker of Vatapi’. Inscriptions describing this victory were carved in the temples of the state as a record.

So, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: Reigning period and kingdom:-
A. Mahendravarman I – 600-630 CE, Pallava King
B. Narasimhavarman I – 630-668 CE, Pallava King, Successor of Mahendravarman I
C. Nandivarman II – 731-796 CE, Pallava King
D. Aparijitavarman – 880-897 CE, Pallava KIng