The Rashtrakutas Kingdom Was Founded by

The Rashtrakutas Kingdom Was Founded By

Origin

The term RASHTRAKUTAS denotes officers in charge of territorial divisions called Rashtra. In the Deccan charters of the 7th and 8th centuries, A.D. Rashtrakutas were exhorted not to disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the land grants. The Rashtrakutas originally belonged to Lattalura, the modern Latur of Maharashtra. They were of Kannada origin and Kannada was their mother tongue.

Dantidurga: He began his career as a feudatory of the Chalukyas. He laid the foundations of Rashtrakutas. The victorious career of Dantidurga is known from the two records of this reign- the Samangad Plates and the Dasavatara Cave Inscription of Ellora. Dantidurga's plan of expression was directed towards the east and west without disturbing Karnataka. The stronghold of Chalukyas is powerful. He invited Malwa, which was under the rule of the Gurjara Pradesh. Thus, by A.D. 75, he had become the master of the whole of Madhya Pradesh and central and southern Gujrat. He then attacked and overthrew his suzerain, Kirtivarman-II, the Chalukyas emperor proclaimed himself the paramount ruler of the Deccan. He did not live long after this victory.

Krishna-I: Dantidurga died childlessly and was succeeded by his uncle Krishna-I. After securing his position in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Krishna-I advanced southwards and invited Gangawadi (modern Mysore ), which was then under the sway of its Ganga ruler Sri Purusha. He returned home after permitting Sri Purusha to rule as a feudal. In the east Krishna-I come to grips which the Chalukya's of Vengi. He sent the crown prince Govinda to vengi and its ruler Vijyaditya-I, made his submission without a fight great as a conqueror, Krishna was equally great a builder. He constructed the Magnificent rock-cut monolithic temple at Ellora, now known as Kailash.

Govind-II: Krishna-I was succeeded by his eldest son Govind-II. He practically left the whole administration to the care of his younger brother, Dhruva was ambitious and seized the throne for himself.

Dhruva: Shortly after his accession, Dhruva proceeded to punish the kings who had supported his brother. Dhruva then made a bold bid to control north Indian politics, a feat in which no Deccan power had succeeded since the days of the Satvahanas. At that time, northern India was convulsed by the struggle for supremacy between Vatsaraja Pratihara and Dhannapal, the Pala ruler of Bengal.

While Vatsaraja was engaged in hostilities with Dharmapala in the Doab, Dhruva crossed the Nannada and occupied Malwa without much opposition. He then proceeded towards Kanauj and inflicted such a crushing defeat on Vatsaraja that later sought refuge in the deserts of Rajasthan. Without marching further into the imperial city of Kannauj, Dhruva returned home laden with rich booty.

He had four sons, Karka, Stambha, Govinda, and Indra, of whom Karka predeceased his father. Of the remaining three sons, the emperor chose the ablest Govinda as his successor and installed him as crown prince.

Govinda-III: Though the accession of Govinda took place peacefully, soon he had to face the hostility of his eldest brother, Stambha, who had been chafing owning to his supersession. After defeating Stambha and securing his position in the Deccan. Govinda turned his attention to the ever tempting politics of northern India and defeated Nagabhatta I who fled into Rajputana, leaving the Doab at the mercy of the invader. Chakrayudha, the puppet emperor of Kanauj, offered unconditional surrender and so did Dharmapala. Besides the powerful Gurjara Pratihara and Pala kings, other rulers of northern India were also defeated by Govinda III.

Amoghvarsha-I: Govinda-III was succeeded by his son Sarva, better known as Amoghvarsha. Amoghvarsha was not destined to enjoy the piece during his long reign of 64 years. He had to encounter frequent rebellions of his feudatories and wage constant wars against his powerful hostile neighbors. Amoghvarsha's reign lacked the brilliance and vigor of his father and grandfather. Gangawadi and Malava were lost to the empire.

Instead of war, it was rather peace, religion, and literature that attracted him most. In his later life, he developed definite leanings towards Jainism, and Jijasena, the author of Adipurana, was his chief preceptor. Amoghvarsha was himself an author and a liberal patron of men of letters. The Kavirajamarga, the earliest work on poetics in the Kannada language, was written by him. He was a great builder. He built the city of Mahakheta and adorned it with an excellent place. He was succeeded by his son Krishna-II.

Krishna-II: He was neither an able ruler nor a good military commander. His only achievement was the termination of the Gujarat branch. He could just maintain his own against Bhoja-I and his wars against Vengi and the Cholas brought disaster and disgrace. Like his father Amoghvarsha, Krishna was a Jaina.

Indra-III: Krishna-II was succeeded by his grandson Indra-III. Indra emulated his great ancestors by declaring war against the Gurjara Pratihara emperor, Mahipala. He marched upon Kanauj and occupied it. Towards Vengi, Indra followed the policy of fomenting troubles for the ruling king and put his own nominee on the Vengi throne.

Amoghavarsha-II: Indra-III was succeeded by his son Amoghavarsha-II. Within a year of accession, Amoghavarsha-II died and his younger brother Govinda ascended the throne.

Govinda-IV: Govinda was a tyrant whose conduct and vicious life provoked universal resentment. A chieftain took a leading part in the revolution which brought about the end of the inglorious reign of Govinda-IV and the transfer of the crown to Amoghavarsha-III.

Amoghavarsha-III: He devoted himself to religious rather than administrative affairs. The government was carried on by crown prince Krishna-III.

Krishna-III: After his accession, Krishna spent a few years strengthening the administration. Krishna led a lightning expedition to the Chola kingdom and captured Kanchi and Tanjore. He built a number of temples in the conquered territories among which the temples of Krishnesvara and Gandamartandatiya at Rameswaram are famous. Throughout his long reign, Krishna-III remained an ineffective possess of Tondai-mandala consisting of the Arcot, Chingleput, and Vellore Districts.

Krishna's reign marked the disintegration of the Rashtrakuta empire. He was oblivious of the feudal developments likely to endanger the stability of the empire by granting the province of Travadi near the heart of the empire as a fiet to Tailapa.

Khottiga: Krishna-III was succeeded by his half-brother Khottiga. During his reign, the Rashtrakuta empire received a rude blow that completely shattered its prestige. The defeat which the Paramara king Siyaka had sustained at the hands of Krishna-III, was ranking in his mind and he made necessary preparations to avenge it.

Karka-II: The prestige of the empire had suffered irreparably when Karka-II ascended the throne. Matters were worsened by the maladministration of the new emperor. The feudatories naturally felt emboldened to challenge the imperial authority and one of them eventually deprived Karka of his sovereignty over the Deccan within about eighteen months of his accession. This feudatory was Taila-II (Tailapa) of the Pallavas.