The Rashtrakutas called themselves descendants of one named Satyaki. But there is difference of opinion about their origin among the historians. According to some they were originally of Dravidian peasant extraction. From some of the inscriptions of the Chalukya kings it is known that the Rashtrakutas were feudatories of the Chalukyas. Perhaps their original home was Karnataka and their mother tongue was Kanarese.
Important rulers of rashtrakuta dynasty
Krishna I
Dantidurga was succeeded by his uncle Krishna I. He conquered the territories that were still under the Chalukyas and thereby competed conquest of the Chalukya territories. He also occupied Konkan. It is not known for certain the name of the country over which Rahappa used to rule. Vishnuvardhana of Vengi and the Ganga king of Mysore were defeated at the hands of the Rashtrakuta King Krishna I. The Kailash Temple at Ellora was built by the Rashtrakuta King Krishna I. He was a great patron of art and architecture.
Govinda II
Krishnaraja’s eventful career came to an end within a very short time and he was succeeded by his son Govindaraj who ruled for some time as Govinda II. His worthlessness as a ruler and his lack of interest in administration led to his deposition by his brother Dhruva who ascended the throne himself.
Dhruva
Dhruva was by far the best ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. He ruled for a short span of time but within this short time he entered into struggle with the Gurjara-Pratihara King Vatsyaraja and defeated him signally. He also like wise defeated the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Pala King Dharmapala of Bengal.
Govinda III
Dhruva was succeeded by Govinda III his son and with almost equal vigor as of his father. He succeeded in keeping the Gurjara power sufficiently under control. He defeated the great Gurjara King Nagabhatta II. It is said that the Pala King Dharmapala and his protégé Charayudh sought the help of Govinda III. Govinda III made the Rashtrakutas dynasty one of the most powerful dynasties of contemporary India. His kingdom spread up to the Vindhyas and Malava in the north and the river Tungabhadra to the south.
Amoghavarsha I
The greatest king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was Amoghavarsha I. As a warrior he was, however, no match with his father Govinda III, but he succeeded in defeating the East-Chalukya kings. Amoghavarsha I set up a new capital at Manyakheta (now Malkhed in Karnataka State) and during his reign Broach became the best port of his kingdom. Amoghavarsha I was a great patron of Education and literature. From the evidence of the Jaina works it is known that Amoghavarsha was converted into Jainism by Jinasena, a Jaina monk.
Amoghavarsha spent the accumulated wealth of his predecessors to beautify his kingdom. Suleman, an Arab merchant, in his account called Amoghavarsha I as one of the four greatest kings of the world, the other three being the Caliph of Bagdad, the king of Constantinople and the emperor of China.
Krishna II
Amoghavarsha ruled for 63 years and he was succeeded by his son Krishna II who in his turn was succeeded by Indra III.
Indra III
Indra III was a powerful king. He defeated and deposed Mahipala. The Rashtrakuta Kings Amoghavarsha II, Govinda IV and Amoghavarsha III were weak kings.
Krishna III
The last powerful and efficient king of the Rashtrakutas was Krishna III. He had a prolonged struggle with Mahipala, the Gurjara king. He also succeeded in conquering Tanjore and Kanchi. In the middle of the tenth century for a time he succeeded in defeating the Tamil kings of Chola kingdom. But towards the end of the same century the Rashtrakuta King Kaka was defeated and deposed by Taila or Tailapa, the Chalukya king of Kalyani. With Kaka’s defeat the Rashtrakuta power came to an end.
Architecture of rashtrakutas
The Rashtrakutas contributed much to the architectural heritage of the Deccan. Art historian Adam Hardy categorizes their building activity into three schools: Ellora, around Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, and at Sirval near Gulbarga. The Rashtrakuta contributions to art and architecture are reflected in the splendid rock-cut cave temples at Ellora and Elephanta, areas also occupied by Jain monks, located in present-day Maharashtra. The Ellora site was originally part of a complex of 34 Buddhist caves probably created in the first half of the 6th century whose structural details show Pandyan influence. Cave temples occupied by Hindus are from later periods.
The Rashtrakutas renovated these Buddhist caves and re-dedicated the rock-cut shrines. Amoghavarsha I espoused Jainism and there are five Jain cave temples at Ellora ascribed to his period.The most extensive and sumptuous of the Rashtrakuta works at Ellora is their creation of the monolithic Kailasanath Temple, a splendid achievement confirming the “Balhara” status as “one among the four principal Kings of the world”. The walls of the temple have marvellous sculptures from Hindu mythology including Ravana, Shiva and Parvathi while the ceilings have paintings.
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The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty that ruled over much of the Deccan Plateau in India from the 7th to the 10th centuries. They were originally a feudatory of the Chalukyas, but they eventually overthrew their overlords and established their own empire. The Rashtrakutas were a powerful and influential dynasty, and they made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, and literature.
The origins of the Rashtrakutas are obscure. They are believed to have originated in the Deccan Plateau, and they may have been related to the Chalukyas. The first Rashtrakuta king to be mentioned in historical records is Dantidurga, who ruled from 735 to 756 CE. Dantidurga was a powerful warrior, and he is credited with overthrowing the Chalukyas and establishing the Rashtrakuta Empire.
Dantidurga’s son, Krishna I, was an even more powerful ruler. Krishna I expanded the Rashtrakuta Empire to its greatest extent, and he is considered to be one of the greatest emperors in Indian history. Krishna I was a patron of the arts, and he commissioned many temples and other monuments. He was also a successful military commander, and he defeated the Pallavas, the Chalukyas, and the Pandyas.
Krishna I’s son, Amoghavarsha I, was another great ruler. Amoghavarsha I ruled from 814 to 878 CE, and he is considered to be the golden age of the Rashtrakuta Empire. Amoghavarsha I was a successful military commander, and he defeated The Palas, the Pratiharas, and Cholas/”>The Cholas. He was also a patron of the arts, and he commissioned many temples and other monuments.
The Rashtrakuta Empire began to decline in the 10th century. The empire was weakened by internal conflicts, and it was eventually overthrown by the Chalukyas in 973 CE. However, the Rashtrakutas left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were a powerful and influential dynasty, and they made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, and literature.
The Rashtrakutas were a Hindu dynasty, and they followed the Shaiva sect of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism. The Rashtrakutas were patrons of the arts, and they commissioned many temples and other monuments. The Rashtrakutas also made significant contributions to Indian Literature.
The Rashtrakutas were a powerful and influential dynasty, and they left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were a major power in the Deccan Plateau for over two centuries, and they made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, and literature.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the UKPCS Mains exam:
- What is the UKPCS Mains exam?
The UKPCS Mains exam is a competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of officers to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
- What are the eligibility criteria for the UKPCS Mains exam?
To be eligible for the UKPCS Mains exam, candidates must have:
- A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
Age between 21 and 32 years (relaxation is available for reserved categories)
What are the subjects in the UKPCS Mains exam?
The UKPCS Mains exam consists of two papers:
- Paper I: General Studies I
- Paper II: General Studies II
Paper I is of 250 marks and Paper II is of 250 marks. Both papers are of three hours duration.
- What is the syllabus for the UKPCS Mains exam?
The syllabus for the UKPCS Mains exam is as follows:
Paper I: General Studies I
Paper II: General Studies II
- History of India
- Geography of India
- Indian Culture
Indian Literature
How is the UKPCS Mains exam conducted?
The UKPCS Mains exam is conducted in two phases:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
The Preliminary Examination is a qualifying examination of two papers of 200 marks each. The Main Examination is a two-stage examination of two papers of 250 marks each.
- What is the cut-off for the UKPCS Mains exam?
The cut-off for the UKPCS Mains exam is decided by the UPSC. The cut-off is based on the performance of candidates in the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination.
- How is the UKPCS Mains exam scored?
The UKPCS Mains exam is scored out of 1000 marks. The marks are awarded as follows:
- Paper I: 250 marks
Paper II: 250 marks
What is the selection process for the UKPCS Mains exam?
The selection process for the UKPCS Mains exam is as follows:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Interview
The candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination are called for the Main Examination. The candidates who qualify in the Main Examination are called for the Interview. The final selection is based on the performance of candidates in the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Interview.
- What are the benefits of clearing the UKPCS Mains exam?
The benefits of clearing the UKPCS Mains exam are as follows:
- Appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Attractive salary and perks
Opportunity to serve the nation
How can I prepare for the UKPCS Mains exam?
The following are some tips for preparing for the UKPCS Mains exam:
- Start preparing early
- Make a study plan
- Cover the syllabus thoroughly
- Practice previous year papers
- Take mock tests
- Stay updated with current affairs
- Get good sleep and eat healthy food
- Stay positive and motivated
The following are some MCQs on the topics of Indian history, polity, and economy, without mentioning the topic of Rashtrakuta for UKPCS Mains:
The first Mughal emperor was:
(a) Babur
(b) Humayun
(c) Akbar
(d) JahangirThe Indian National Congress was founded in the year:
(a) 1885
(b) 1886
(c) 1887
(d) 1888The first Prime Minister of India was:
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Lal Bahadur Shastri
(c) Indira Gandhi
(d) Rajiv GandhiThe current President of India is:
(a) Ram Nath Kovind
(b) Pranab Mukherjee
(c) Pratibha Patil
(d) A.P.J. Abdul KalamThe current Prime Minister of India is:
(a) Narendra Modi
(b) Manmohan Singh
(c) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
(d) Rajiv GandhiThe GDP of India in 2017-18 was:
(a) $2.6 trillion
(b) $2.7 trillion
(c) $2.8 trillion
(d) $2.9 trillionThe Inflation rate in India in 2017-18 was:
(a) 3.3%
(b) 3.4%
(c) 3.5%
(d) 3.6%The Unemployment rate in India in 2017-18 was:
(a) 6.1%
(b) 6.2%
(c) 6.3%
(d) 6.4%The Current Account deficit of India in 2017-18 was:
(a) $48 billion
(b) $50 billion
(c) $52 billion
(d) $54 billionThe Fiscal Deficit of India in 2017-18 was:
(a) 3.5% of GDP
(b) 3.6% of GDP
(c) 3.7% of GDP
(d) 3.8% of GDP
These are just a few examples of MCQs that could be asked on the topics of Indian history, polity, and economy, without mentioning the topic of Rashtrakuta for UKPCS Mains.