Rashtrakutas

The Rashtrakuta Empire was founded by Dantidurga around 753 AD. They were the feudatories of the Chalukyas of Badami. Dantidurga defeated the famous Chalukyan king Kirtivarman II to establish the new kingdom. The Rashtrakutan Empire ruled for over 200 years and it was not only the most powerful kingdom of the 8th century but also acted as a bridge between north and south India relating to the economic and cultural aspects. The Rashtrakutas have contributed significantly to the art and architecture of early medieval India. This kingdom is known to have an elaborate administration and brave warriors.

Around the 8th Century and after Harshavardhan’s death in 647 AD, there was a political vaccum in the Northern part of the Indian Subcontinent. The Palas and Gurjara-Pratiharas emerged in the mid-eighth century in the Eastern and Western region. During the same time period, the Rashtrakutas rose to power in the Deccan region and ruled in Manyakheta (modern day Karnataka).

Rashtrakutas come from two words, ‘Rashtra’, sanskrit word meaning country and ‘kuta’ meaning chieftain. The Rashtrakutas ruled between 6th and 10th Centuries. The region for their rule was very vast which included the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana and Maharashtra. Their use of Kannada made it as important a language as Sanskrit, which became popular during the Gupta Period.

DANTIDURGA: Founder of the Rashtrakuta empire.

• He overthrew his Chalukya overlord and performed a ritual called hiranya-garbha (literally, the golden womb) with the help of Brahmanas which is believed to have led to his “rebirth” as a Kshatriya allowing him to rule.
• Samangadh inscription of 754 AD states that the mother of Dantidurga was a Chalukyan Princess from Gujarat and also describes Dantidurga as the son of Indra II. It states that Dantidurga defeated Kirtivarman II of Chalukya
• Ellora inscription of 742 AD: two titles were used for Dantidurga, prithvivallabha and khagavaloka.
• Died in 756 AD without a male heir which created a conflict between his uncle Krishnaraja 1 and other family members.

KRISHNARAJA 1: He was a popular King who ruled after death of Dantidurga

• Bhandak Inscription: Calls him Shubhatunga (high in fortune) and Akalavarsha (continuous rainer). He started overthrowing the Chalukyas of Badami and establishing his empire in all areas such as the Konkan region and the areas of the Ganga Kingdom.
• He governed parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh along with Vengi and a chunk of Madhya Pradesh.
• He died around 775 AD.

DHRUVA (780 AD to 793 AD). He defeated Vatsaraja the Pratihara king and Dharmapala of the Pala Kingdom towards East India.

GOVINDA III (793 AD to 814 AD) The main titles used to describe him were Jaggattunga (world renowned), Janavallabha (People's Favourite), Tribhuvanadhavala (the three realms are pure). He expanded the kingdom and crushed the Ganga rulers of Odisha, Cheras, Pandyas, and the Pallavas of the south.

AMOGHAVARSHA (814 AD till 878 AD): His real name was Maharaja Sarva. He was considered as one of the greatest kings of India.

• Longest: His reign lasted nearly 64 years.
• Kannada Scholar & Patron of Arts: He has been a great contributor to religion, literature and architecture. He authored Kannada work named Kavirajamarga about poetry.

INDRA III: He was the grandson of Amoghavarsha.

• Military conquests consisted of the defeat of Mahipala of the Pala dynasty and sacking of Kannauj in 915 AD.
• His rule ended in 927 AD.

KRISHNA III: Amongst the greatest rulers of the Rashtrakuta kings, Krishna III was the last.

• He defeated Parantaka I of the Chola empire in the Battle of Takkolam in 943 AD.
• He also fought against the Paramaras of Malwa, Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and began a campaign against the Cholas of Tanjore.

• Krishna III’s successors were weak and could not save the kingdom.
• Parmara Defeat Khottiga: Real decline began during Khottiga’s reign. He was defeated by Siyaka Harsha, ruler of the Paramara Dynasty during 972 AD.
• Regional Secession: Tailapa II was a feudatory of the Rashtrakutas who declared himself independent after Siyaka defeated Amoghavarsha. Many other feudatories and other clans of the Deccan region declared themselves as independent.
• Kakra II was defeated by Tailapadeva who founded the Kalyani Chalukyas.
• Suicide of Indra IV: The last ruler of the Rashtrakuta kingdom was Indra IV who committed suicide in 982 AD while performing a Jaina ritual Sallekhana (fast unto death).
• The Rashtrakutas were succeeded by the Western Chalukyas in the Deccan region.

• Decentralised Administration: It was a large empire comprising of nearly 7.5 lakh villages.
  • Rashta or Mandalas (provinces) ruled by the Rashtrapati.
  • Vishayas (district) supervised by a Vishyapati.
  • Nadu, under Vishayas, supervised by Nadugowda.
  • Grama is the lowest part of the provincial administration which is administered by a Gramapathi, also called Prabha Gavunda.
  
  
• A hereditary based rule was NOT always followed. For example, Govinda III was king Dhruva’s third son.
• Important Officers: The King, the Chief Minister (Mahasandhivigrahi), the commander (Dandanayaka), the foreign minister (Mahakshapataladhikrita) and a prime minister (Mahamatya or Purnamathya).
• Women: played an important role and they supervised important areas. For example, Revakanimaddi, Amoghavarsha I’s daughter, supervised the Yedathore Vishaya (district).

In the Rashtrakuta army, there is evidence of large groups of infantry, elephants and horsemen. A standing army was always ready for war in the cantonment area (Sthirabhuta Kataka) in the capital Manyakheta.

• Caste System: Al-Beruni mentions 16 divisions in the society with 4 main classes/ Varna (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra). Lower castes were known as Antyajas. Brahmans held all the important administrative posts
• Professions included sailing, hunting, cobbling, basket weaving and fishing.
• Women Had Rights: A joint family system was prevalent where daughters enjoyed property rights and land ownership.
• Astrology and Astronomy developed as important areas of study and there were many superstitious beliefs.

• Hinduism was the chief religion during the formation of this kingdom, Shiva and Vishnu were the popular Gods.
• While later during the reign of Amoghavarsha Jainism was patronised, however, there was an overall decline of Buddhism.

The architecture of the Rashtrakutas shows their luxury and grandeur.

• Dravidian style of temple architecture also known as the Pallava style was prevalent.
• Kannada language became popular. King Amoghavarsha I, himself wrote the earliest book on Kannada poetics named Kavirajamarga. Amongst the three gems of the Kannada literature Ponna, Ranna and Pampa were patronised by Rashtrakuta rulers.
• Cave temple architecture such as Ellora, Elephanta and Badami was popular. Usually rock cut temples with beautiful carvings are found. Hindu Gods and Goddesses along with legendary creatures and scenes from the epics are a basic feature of the temples. Their temples are now declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites e.g. Kashivishvanatha temple and the Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal in modern Karnataka.

• It was built by Krishna I. It is numbered as cave 16 of Ellora caves.
• It is the largest monolithic rock structure till date
• It is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva
• Elephant sculptures are present which tells us that elephants were favourites of the Rashtrakuta rulers.
• It has a two-storey gopuram (entrance to the temple)

• A collection of 5 rock-cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Surya, Ravana and Parvati.
• A Trimurti version of Shiva is portrayed which represents Lord Shiva as the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer.
• Engraves on the walls depict mythological scenes similar to Ajanta and Ellora caves
• The inscriptions are written in Brahmi script.
• Dwar-palas (gatekeepers) can be seen as the entrance

• Constructed by Amoghavarsha I and his son Krishna II in the 9th century
• Located in Kakkanur town in Karnataka
• It is a nine-cluster temple, made in dravidian style
• Devoted to Lord Shiva

• Kannada and Sanskrit were the main languages
• Pampa wrote Adipurana and Vikramasenavijaya
• Gadhayudha was written by Ranna
• Ponna wrote Shantipurana
• The first book on poetics, Kavirajamarga was written in Kannada and Prasnottaraamalika in Sanskrit by Amoghavarsha
• Ganithasarasangraha was written by Mahaveeracharya in Sanskrit

The Rashtrakuta Empire of the eight to tenth century was a very vast empire started by Dantidurga. It is one of the most important dynasties of Indian history boasting of some great rulers who were militarily advanced as well as patronised art and cultural innovation. They defeated the Chalukyas of Badami and were succeeded by the Western Chalukyas. They were successful in conquering South India and also advanced towards the Northern parts of India. After decline, the Rashtrakutas gave way to feudatories to rule independently.

At the height of their powers, an Arabic text, Silsilat al-Tawarikh (851), called the Rashtrakutas one of the principal empires of the world. Even though the kingdom declined, its influence still remained. The system of administration was followed by later kingdoms of Cholas, Pallavas and many more. Their architectural remains are still memorable as the Kailashnath temple is the largest monolithic structure till date. Tourism flourishes at their architectural marvels.