Rashtrakutas

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Rashtrakutas

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.,

The Rashtrakuta dynasty was a Kannada dynasty that ruled over much of the Deccan Plateau in India from the 8th to the 10th centuries. The dynasty was founded by Dantidurga in 735 CE, and its capital was at Manyakheta (modern Malkhed in Karnataka). The Rashtrakutas were a powerful and influential dynasty, and they made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, literature, and religion.

The Rashtrakuta kings were known for their military prowess, and they expanded their empire to include much of the Deccan Plateau, Gujarat, and Malwa. The dynasty reached its peak under the reign of Krishna I (756-774 CE), who is considered to be one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. Krishna I was a successful military commander, and he defeated the Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Pandyas. He also patronized the arts and sciences, and he built many temples and palaces.

The Rashtrakuta dynasty declined in the 10th century, and it was eventually overthrown by Cholas/”>The Cholas in 973 CE. However, the Rashtrakutas left a lasting legacy on Indian history, and their contributions to art, architecture, literature, and religion continue to be admired today.

Rashtrakuta architecture is characterized by its use of massive stone blocks, intricate carvings, and soaring towers. Some of the most famous Rashtrakuta temples include the Kailasa Temple at Ellora, the Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal, and the Mahadeva Temple at Mallikarjuna.

Rashtrakuta art is known for its use of bold colors, intricate patterns, and lively figures. Some of the most famous Rashtrakuta paintings include the murals at Ajanta and Ellora.

Rashtrakuta literature is written in Kannada, Sanskrit, and Prakrit. Some of the most famous Rashtrakuta poets include Pampa, Kalidasa, and Bharavi.

Rashtrakuta religion was a mix of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism and Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism. The Rashtrakutas were patrons of both religions, and they built temples and monasteries for both Hindus and Buddhists.

Rashtrakuta administration was based on the Hindu caste system. The king was at the top of the social hierarchy, followed by the priests, the warriors, the merchants, and the farmers.

Rashtrakuta military was one of the most powerful in India. The Rashtrakuta army consisted of cavalry, infantry, and elephants. The Rashtrakutas were also skilled in the use of gunpowder and rockets.

Rashtrakuta economy was based on agriculture. The Rashtrakutas were also skilled in Trade and Commerce. They built many roads and canals, and they established a Network of markets.

Rashtrakuta decline began in the 10th century. The dynasty was weakened by internal conflicts, and it was eventually overthrown by the Cholas in 973 CE.

Rashtrakuta legacy is significant. The dynasty made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, literature, and religion. The Rashtrakutas also played an important role in the development of the Deccan Plateau.

Who were the Rashtrakutas?

The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty that ruled over much of the Deccan Plateau in India from the 8th to the 10th centuries. They were originally a feudatory clan of the Chalukyas, but they eventually overthrew their overlords and established their own empire. The Rashtrakutas were a powerful and prosperous dynasty, and they made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, and literature.

What were the major achievements of the Rashtrakutas?

The Rashtrakutas were a powerful and prosperous dynasty, and they made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, and literature. Some of their major achievements include:

  • The construction of many impressive temples and palaces, including the Kailasa Temple at Ellora and the Rashtrakuta Fort at Manyakheta.
  • The patronage of art and literature, including the works of the poet Kalidasa.
  • The expansion of their empire to include much of the Deccan Plateau and parts of northern India.

What was the cause of the decline of the Rashtrakutas?

The Rashtrakutas declined in the 10th century due to a number of factors, including internal strife, the rise of the Chola dynasty, and the invasion of the Turks.

What are some interesting facts about the Rashtrakutas?

Here are some interesting facts about the Rashtrakutas:

  • The Rashtrakutas were the first Indian dynasty to use the title “Emperor.”
  • They were also the first Indian dynasty to use the title “Parama Maheswara,” which means “Supreme Lord.”
  • The Rashtrakutas were patrons of the arts and sciences, and they built many impressive temples and palaces.
  • They were also skilled warriors, and they expanded their empire to include much of the Deccan Plateau and parts of northern India.

What is the legacy of the Rashtrakutas?

The Rashtrakutas left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were a powerful and prosperous dynasty that made significant contributions to Indian art, architecture, and literature. Their empire was one of the largest in Indian history, and they played a major role in the development of Indian culture.

The following are MCQs on the topics of the Rashtrakutas, the Chalukyas, and the Cholas:

  1. The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of India from the 8th to the 10th centuries. They were originally from the Deccan Plateau, and their capital was at Manyakheta. The Rashtrakutas were a powerful dynasty, and they were able to conquer large parts of India. They were also patrons of the arts and literature.

  2. The Chalukyas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of India from the 6th to the 12th centuries. They were originally from the Deccan Plateau, and their capital was at Vatapi. The Chalukyas were a powerful dynasty, and they were able to conquer large parts of India. They were also patrons of the arts and literature.

  3. The Cholas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of India from the 9th to the 13th centuries. They were originally from the Tamil Nadu region, and their capital was at Thanjavur. The Cholas were a powerful dynasty, and they were able to conquer large parts of India. They were also patrons of the arts and literature.

  4. The Rashtrakutas were defeated by the Chalukyas in the 10th century.

  5. The Chalukyas were defeated by the Cholas in the 12th century.

  6. The Cholas were defeated by the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century.

  7. The Rashtrakutas were a Hindu dynasty.

  8. The Chalukyas were a Hindu dynasty.

  9. The Cholas were a Hindu dynasty.

  10. The Rashtrakutas were patrons of the arts and literature.

  11. The Chalukyas were patrons of the arts and literature.

  12. The Cholas were patrons of the arts and literature.

  13. The Rashtrakutas were known for their architecture.

  14. The Chalukyas were known for their architecture.

  15. The Cholas were known for their architecture.

  16. The Rashtrakutas were known for their sculpture.

  17. The Chalukyas were known for their sculpture.

  18. The Cholas were known for their sculpture.

  19. The Rashtrakutas were known for their painting.

  20. The Chalukyas were known for their painting.

  21. The Cholas were known for their painting.

  22. The Rashtrakutas were known for their literature.

  23. The Chalukyas were known for their literature.

  24. The Cholas were known for their literature.

  25. The Rashtrakutas were known for their music.

  26. The Chalukyas were known for their music.

  27. The Cholas were known for their music.

  28. The Rashtrakutas were known for their dance.

  29. The Chalukyas were known for their dance.

  30. The Cholas were known for their dance.

  31. The Rashtrakutas were known for their festivals.

  32. The Chalukyas were known for their festivals.

  33. The Cholas were known for their festivals.

  34. The Rashtrakutas were known for their Sports.

  35. The Chalukyas were known for their sports.

  36. The Cholas were known for their sports.

  37. The Rashtrakutas were known for their food.

  38. The Chalukyas were known for their food.

  39. The Cholas were known for their food.

  40. The Rashtrakutas were known for their clothing.

  41. The Chalukyas were known for their clothing.

  42. The Cholas were known for their clothing.

  43. The Rashtrakutas were known for their jewelry.

  44. The Chalukyas were known for their jewelry.

  45. The Cholas were known for their jewelry.

  46. The Rashtrakutas were known for their weapons.

  47. The Chalukyas were known for their weapons.

  48. The Cholas were known for their weapons.

  49. The Rashtrakutas were known for their warfare.

  50. The Chalukyas were known for their warfare.

  51. The Cholas were known for their warfare.

  52. The Rashtrakutas were known for their administration.

  53. The