Rashtrakuta Dynasty

The Rashtrakutas proudly traced their lineage to Satyaki, although historians hold varying perspectives on their origins. Inscriptions from certain Chalukya kings indicate a subordinate relationship, with the Rashtrakutas being acknowledged as vassals to the Chalukyas. Rooted in Kannada heritage, the Rashtrakutas spoke Kannada as their mother tongue.

Origin of Rashtrakutas

Historians engage in debates over the inception of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, with conflicting theories about their early roots.
The connection between the 6th-century Rashtrakutas and the later Manyakheta Rashtrakutas (8th to 10th centuries) remains a subject of dispute among historians.
The Rashtrakutas assert their lineage from the Epic-era Yadava family, though scholars hold varying opinions on the validity of this ancestry.
Some academics propose that the Rashtrakutas belong to the Kshatriya race, attributing the origin of Maharashtra’s name to this group.
Popular belief suggests that the Rashtrakutas initially served as officials responsible for governing provinces, eventually adopting the surname due to their administrative roles.
Regardless of their origin, it is evident that the Rashtrakutas established their empire by succeeding the Chalukyas, who were in decline.

Rulers of Rashtrakutas

Dantidurga

Dantidurga founded the Rashtrakuta empire, with Manyakheta as the capital.
In 753 CE, he conquered Chalukyan territories and defeated Kirtivarman, the last Chalukya ruler of Badami.
Dantidurga formed alliances, including one with Nandivarman Pallavamalla, and expanded his rule to Kanchi.Krishnaraja I
Krishnaraja I, succeeding Dantidurga in 756 CE, expanded the Rashtrakuta kingdom extensively.
He overthrew the Chalukyas of Badami, conquered Madhya Pradesh, Southern Konkana, and established dominance over the Ganga kingdom.
The empire extended across modern Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Govinda II

Govinda II, ruling from 774 to 780 CE, faced a civil war for the throne against his brother Dhruva.
Dhruva emerged victorious, assuming titles like Nirupama and Kali-vallabha.
The conflict resulted in Govinda II’s downfall and Dhruva’s establishment as the ruler.

Govinda III

Govinda III (793-814 CE) emerged as a prominent Rashtrakuta ruler, expanding the empire from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin.
He defeated rebellions in the south, conquered territories including Nagabhatta of Kanauj, Malawa, Kosala, Kalinga, Vengi, Dahala, and Odraka.

Amoghavarsha I

Amoghavarsha I (814-878 CE) continued the Rashtrakuta legacy, promoting both Jainism and Brahmanical religion.
Known for his religious interests, he was a patron of authors, including Jinasena, the author of Adipurana.

Krishna II

Krishna II (878–914 CE) faced challenges, with mixed success against rebellions and setbacks in wars against Vengi and the Cholas.
His reign witnessed the termination of the Lata viceroyalty but also included periods of disgrace and exile.

Indra III

Indra III (915 CE onwards) re-established the Rashtrakuta empire, achieving significant military success against the Cholas and in the northern regions.
His reign marked the defeat of Mahipala and the sack of Kanauj in 915 CE.

Krishna III

Krishna III defeated the Chola king Parantaka I in 949 CE, annexed the northern Chola empire, and expanded Rashtrakuta territories.
The empire faced a decline after Krishna III’s death in 966 CE, leading to the sacking of Manyakheta by the Paramara kings in 972 CE.

Administration of Rashtrakutas

In the Rashtrakuta governance system, the King held the highest authority as the supreme ruler.
Inscriptions reveal that the selection of the next ruler followed a hereditary basis, emphasizing family lineage.
The abilities and skills of the new emperor were also considered as crucial factors during the ascension to the throne.
The kingdom was structured into provinces, each headed by a ‘Rashtrapati’ responsible for local administration.
Further decentralization occurred with ‘Vishayapatis’ overseeing districts under the provinces, ensuring efficient governance.
Trustworthy ministers were appointed to rule over multiple provinces, providing stability and coordination in the administration.
The ‘Nadugowda’ supervised districts, contributing to a hierarchical governance structure for effective control and organization.
At the grassroots level, each village was overseen by a ‘Gramapati,’ emphasizing local governance and community management.

Literature of Rashtrakutas

Kannada literature rose to prominence during the Rashtrakuta Dynasty’s reign.
The Prakrit and Sanskrit eras came to an end during this time period.
Court poets produced literary works in Kannada and Sanskrit.
‘Kavirajamarga,’ written by King Amoghavarsha, was the first Kannada book available. In the court of King Amoghavarsha I, bilingual writers such as Asaga rose to prominence and noted scholars such as Mahaviracharya wrote on pure mathematics.
Adipurana was written by the Jain writer Adikavi Pampa, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential Kannada writers.
Sri Ponna was another notable Jain writer in Kannada, patronized by King Krishna III and best known for Shantipurana, his account of the life of Shantinatha, the 16th Jain tirthankara.
Prose works in Sanskrit were also prolific during this time period.

Art and Architecture of Rashtrakutas

The rock-cut cave temples at Ellora and Elephanta in present-day Maharashtra reflect the Rashtrakuta Dynasty’s contributions to art and architecture.
They also re-dedicated rock-cut shrines and renovated Buddhist caves.
At Ellora, Amoghavarsha I dedicated five Jain cave temples.
The monolithic Kailashnath Temple is Rashtrakutas’ most spectacular work at Ellora.
After Rashtrakuta rule had spread to the Deccan, King Krishna I funded this project.
Dravidian was the architectural style. Ardhanaarishwar and Maheshamurti are two other notable sculptures at Elephanta.
The Dhumer Lena and Dashvatara cave temples in Ellora, as well as the Jogeshvari temple near Mumbai, are two other well-known rock-cut temples in Maharashtra.
Rashtrakutas built the Kashivishvanatha temple and the Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal in Karnataka.
The important architecture includes:

Kailasanatha Temple

The Kailasanatha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, India.
After Rashtrakuta rule expanded into South India from the Deccan, King Krishna I, commissioned the Kailasanatha Temple project.
Karnata Dravida is the architectural style adopted.
The main shrine, an entry gateway, the Nandi pavilion, and a courtyard with courtyards encircling are the temple’s four principal components.
The Kailasa temple is an architectural wonder with its amazing sculptures.
The sculpture represents the Buffalo monster being slain by the Goddess Durga.
Ravana was attempting to move Mount Kailasa, Siva’s home, in another sculpture.
The walls were also covered with Ramayana images.
The Kailasa temple has a more Dravidian aspect.

Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves, located on an island, which is known as Sripuri (It was previously named Sripuri, but the inhabitants called it Gharapuri) near Mumbai.
It was later named for the big Elephant sculpture held.
Ellora caves and the Elephanta caves have pots of similarities that demonstrate the continuity of artisans.
The elephanta caves’ entrance includes enormous dwara-palaka sculptures.
On the wall enclosing the prakara around the Sanctum are sculptures of Nataraja, Gangadhara, Ardhanarishvara, Somaskanda, and Trimurti.

Navalinga Temple

Amoghavarsha I or his son Krishna II, a ruler of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, constructed the Navalinga temple complex in the ninth century.
Kukkanur is the town where the temple is situated.
It is situated in the Koppal district of the Indian state of Karnataka, north of Itagi and east of Gadag.
The nine temple clusters in South India were built in the dravidian architectural style.
Its name, Navalinga, comes from the presence of a linga, the common representation of Shiva in Hinduism.

Society and Culture of Rashtrakutas

The Rashtrakuta Empire’s citizens revered their emperor as the ultimate authority responsible for maintaining social justice, order, and peace.
Day-to-day matters were handled by guilds or cooperatives, ensuring swift resolution of disputes based on established customs.
Guilds played a crucial role in settling disputes, adhering to prevailing rules and regulations of specific castes or groups.
Unresolved cases were elevated to higher authorities, highlighting a decentralized system for conflict resolution.
Society was structured around castes determined by professions, with each caste following its own set of rules and regulations.
Ruling castes maintained strict adherence to ancient orthodoxy while ensuring order within their societal spheres.
Rashtrakuta rulers promoted religious tolerance, fostering a society that embraced followers of various faiths.
This inclusive approach contributed to a harmonious coexistence of diverse religious beliefs within the empire.

Religion and Language

The Rashtrakutas played a crucial role in popularizing Kannada as a language of everyday communication in modern India.
Despite its existing usage, they elevated it to a prominent position.
Alongside Kannada, the Rashtrakutas actively supported Sanskrit, the language of the elite.
This dual-language promotion contributed to a rich linguistic and cultural environment.
Amoghavarsha I, a key figure, significantly contributed to both Kannada and Sanskrit literature.
His Kavirajamarga marked a pivotal moment in Kannada poetry, earning widespread acclaim.
Amoghavarsha I’s Sanskrit works garnered praise not only locally but also found readership in other Asian countries, showcasing the cultural exchange facilitated by the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Legend has it that Amoghavarsha I embraced Jainism, fostering an environment where Jain scholars, including the renowned mathematician Mahavirachariya, thrived in his court.
Adikabi Pampa and Sri Ponna, prominent figures in Kannada literature, flourished during this period. Their contributions are now celebrated as iconic and enduring elements of the Kannada language.

Conclusion

The Rashtrakuta dynasty, known for its expansive empire and remarkable governance, left an indelible mark on Indian history. Their influence extended across the entire southern region and deeply into the northern territories. Revered as formidable conquerors and effective rulers, the Rashtrakutas made significant contributions to religion, art, and architecture. Their reign in the Deccan is considered a brilliant period in history, with no other Deccan ruling dynasties matching their dominance until the rise of the Marathas as an imperial power in the 18th century. The Rashtrakutas consistently achieved brilliant success in their campaigns against powerful adversaries, solidifying their legacy in the annals of Indian history.