Rashtrakutas (755 – 975 A.D.)

The Rashtrakutas were a major South Indian dynasty who ruled from the 8th to 10th centuries CE, with their capital at Manyakheta (modern Malkhed in Karnataka).
They rose to power under Dantidurga and reached their peak under rulers like Dhruva, Govinda III, and Amoghavarsha I. The Rashtrakutas were known for their military strength and engaged in the Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj against the Pratiharas and Palas. They patronized art, literature, and architecture, most famously commissioning the Kailasa Temple at Ellora. Their reign marked a golden age for Kannada and Sanskrit literature, and they promoted religious tolerance among Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Jainism.The Rashtrakutas were of Kannada origin and Kannada language was their mother tongue. Dantidurga was the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. He defeated the Gurjaras and captured Malwa from them. Then he annexed the Chalukya kingdom by defeating Kirtivarman II. Thus, the Rashtrakutas became a paramount power in the Deccan.

Important Rulers

Dantidurga [735-756 AD]

• Feudatory of Chalukyas
• Title: Prithvivallabha
• Defeated chalukya king, Kirti Varman II and became master of whole Maharashtra.
• Dantidurga occupied all territories between the Godavari and Vima.
• He is said to have conquered Kalinga, Kosala, Kanchi, Srisril, Malava, Lata etc. and occupied Maharashtra by defeating Chalukya King Kirtivarma.

Krishna I [758-773 AD]

• Brought an end to Chalukya empire by killing Kirtivarman II
• Constructed Shiva Temple at Ellora

Dhruva

• Dhruva was greatest in Rashtrakuta dynasty, during his reign Rashtrakuta power reached its Zenith.
• He defeated Pallavas, Eastern Chalukyas, Palas and Prathiharas.
• By defeating Vatsaraja of Prathihara and Dharmapala of pala dynasty he conquered Kannauj.
• He was the first Deccan king to control Kannauj.

Amoghavarsha

• Amoghavarsha was a patron of literature and he patronised the famous Digambara acharya Jinasena, Sanskrit grammarian Sakatayana and the mathematician Mahaviracharya.
• His cultural achievements are greater than his military achievements.
• He constructed Manyakheta city and made it as his capital.
• Amoghavarsha was himself a great poet and his Kavirajamarga is the earliest
• Kannada work on poetics.
• Abu sulaiman , the Arab traveler visited his capital in 851CE. He says Rashtrakuta empire is one of the four great empires of the world.
• His titles: Nrupatunga, veeranarayan etc.

Salient features of Rashtrakutas

Administration

• The kingdom was categorised into Mandala or Rashtras (regions).
• A Rashtra was ruled by a Rashtrapathi who once in a while was the emperor
• himself.
• Under a Rashtra was a Vishaya (district) regulated by a Vishayapathi. The ministers once in a while ruled more than a Rashtra.
• Beneath the Vishaya was the Nadu took care of by the Nadugowda or Nadugavunda; infrequently there were two such authorities, one taking on the position through heredity and another appointed centrally.
• The most minimal division was a Grama or village administered by a Gramapathi or Prabhu Gavunda.

Society and Economy

• The Hindu sects of Vaishnavism and Saivism flourished during the period of Rashtrakutas. Yet, they did not affect the progress of Jainism under the patronage of Rashtrakuta kings and officers.
• Almost one third of the population of the Deccan were Jains. There were some prosperous Buddhist settlements at places like Kanheri, Sholapur and Dharwar.
• There was harmony among various religions.
• There was a college at Salatogi, situated in modern Bijapur district. An inscription gives details of this educational centre.
• It was run by the income from the endowments made by the rich as well as by all the villagers on occasions of functions and festivals.
• The economy was also in a flourishing condition. There was an active commerce between the Deccan and the Arabs.

Religion

• Rashtrakuta rulers had great quality of religious tolerance.
• The worship of Shiva and Vishnu was popular during Rashtrakuta reign.
• The famous rock-cut Shiva temple at Ellora was built by Krishna I.
• Jainism was patronized by laters rulers like Amoghavarsha. He was also staunch devotee of Kolhapur Mahalaxmi.
• Buddhism had declined and its only important centre was at Kanheri.

Literature

• The Rashtrakuta rulers were great patrons of learning. Kannada and Sanskrit literature made great progress during their reign.
• The three gems of ancient Kannada literature –Pampa, Ranna, Ponna were patronised by Rashtrkuta kings.
• They wrote following books in kannada:
  • Pampa- Adipurana, vikramarjuna vijaya
  • Ranna- Gadhayudha
  • Ponna- Shantipurana
• Amoghvarsha wrote Kavirajamarga, first book on poetics in kannada (few claims that this was originally written by court port Srivijaya).
• Mahaveeracharya, a mathematician, wrote Ganithasarasangraha in sanskrit. Halayudha wrote Kavirahasya in Sanskrit.
• Overall, Kannada language received great patronage and golden age in this era.

Art and Architecture

• The Rashtrakutas made splendid contributions to Indian art.
• They built structural temple, cave temple and Basadis.
• Ellora, Ajantha and Elephanta are centres of their art.

Kailasa Temple:

• It was built by the 8th century Rashtrakuta King Krishna I
• It is modelled along similar lines to other Hindu temples
• The sculpture of Goddess Durga is shown as slaying Buffalo demon.
• In another sculpture Ravana was making attempts to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Siva.
• The scenes of Ramayana were also depicted on the walls.
• The general characteristics of the Kailasa temple are more Dravidian.

Dasavathara cave:

• Cave 15, Dashavatara Cave is one of the finest at Ellora.
• The two storeyed temple contains mesmerising Shiva Nataraja and a Shiva emerging from Lingam while Vishnu and Brahma pay homage.

Elephanta cave:

• Nataraja and Sadashiva excel even that of Ellora sculptures in beauty and
• craftsmanship. .
• The sculptural art of the Rashtrakutas reached its zenith in this place. There is a close similarity between the sculptures at Ellora and those in Elephanta. They might have been carved by the same craftsmen.
• At the entrance to the sanctum there are huge figures of dwara-palakas.
• In the walls of the prakara around the sanctum there are niches containing the images of Shiva in various forms - Nataraja, Gangadhara, Ardhanareesvara and Somaskanda.
• The most imposing figure of this temple is Trimurthi.
• UNESCO world heritage site.

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Subject: Ancient History

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