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 large parts of India from the 7th to the 10th centuries. They were originally a feudatory of the Chalukyas, but they eventually became independent and established their own empire. The Rashtrakutas were known for their military prowess and their patronage of the arts. They built many temples and palaces, and they also supported a number of scholars and poets. The Rashtrakutas were eventually overthrown by Cholas/”>The Cholas, but they left a lasting legacy on Indian history.
History of the Rashtrakutas
The Rashtrakutas were a Kannada-speaking dynasty that originated in the Deccan region of India. They were originally a feudatory of the Chalukyas, but they eventually became independent and established their own empire. The Rashtrakutas reached the height of their power under the reign of Dantidurga (735-756 CE). Dantidurga conquered the Chalukya kingdom and established the Rashtrakuta empire. He was succeeded by his son Krishna I (756-773 CE), who further expanded the empire. Krishna I was a great military leader and he defeated the Pallavas, the Chalukyas, and the Pandyas. He also built many temples and palaces.
The Rashtrakuta empire reached its zenith under the reign of Amoghavarsha I (814-878 CE). Amoghavarsha I was a great patron of the arts and he supported a number of scholars and poets. He also built many temples and palaces. The Rashtrakuta empire began to decline after the death of Amoghavarsha I. The empire was eventually overthrown by the Cholas in the 10th century.
Rashtrakuta kings
The following is a list of some of the most important Rashtrakuta kings:
Dantidurga (735-756 CE)
Krishna I (756-773 CE)
Amoghavarsha I (814-878 CE)
Krishna II (878-914 CE)
Indra III (914-929 CE)
Govinda III (930-935 CE)
Krishna III (935-967 CE)
Khottiga (967-972 CE)
Indra IV (972-982 CE)
Kakka II (982-993 CE)
Tailapa II (997-1000 CE)
Rashtrakuta administration
The Rashtrakutas had a well-organized administration. The empire was divided into provinces, which were further divided into districts. The provinces were ruled by governors, who were appointed by the king. The districts were ruled by district officers, who were also appointed by the king. The Rashtrakutas had a strong military, which was used to defend the empire from its enemies.
Rashtrakuta art and architecture
The Rashtrakutas were patrons of the arts and they built many temples and palaces. The Rashtrakuta temples are known for their intricate carvings and sculptures. The Rashtrakuta palaces are known for their beautiful gardens and fountains. The Rashtrakutas also supported a number of scholars and poets.
Rashtrakuta religion
The Rashtrakutas were Hindus. They worshipped a number of gods and goddesses, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Lakshmi. The Rashtrakutas also built many temples dedicated to these gods and goddesses.
Rashtrakuta literature
The Rashtrakutas were patrons of literature. They supported a number of scholars and poets. The Rashtrakuta literature is written in Kannada and Sanskrit. The Rashtrakuta literature includes a number of Epics, poems, and plays.
Rashtrakuta decline
The Rashtrakuta empire began to decline after the death of Amoghavarsha I. The empire was eventually overthrown by the Cholas in the 10th century. The decline of the Rashtrakuta empire was due to a number of factors, including internal conflicts, external invasions, and economic problems.
Rashtrakuta legacy
The Rashtrakutas left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were a powerful dynasty that ruled over large parts of India for over two centuries. The Rashtrakutas were patrons of the arts and they built many temples and palaces. The Rashtrakutas also supported a number of scholars and poets. The Rashtrakutas were a significant force in Indian history and their legacy continues to be felt today.
Who were the Rashtrakutas?
The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty that ruled over much of southern India from the 8th to the 10th centuries. They were originally a minor clan from the Deccan Plateau, but they rose to power under the Leadership of Dantidurga. The Rashtrakutas were known for their military prowess and their patronage of the arts. They built many temples and palaces, and their court was a center of Learning and culture.
What were the achievements of the Rashtrakutas?
The Rashtrakutas were a powerful dynasty that left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were successful in expanding their empire and extending their rule over much of southern India. They were also patrons of the arts and literature, and their court was a center of learning and culture.
What were the causes of the decline of the Rashtrakutas?
The Rashtrakutas declined in the 10th century due to a number of factors, including internal strife, external threats, and economic problems. The dynasty was eventually overthrown by the Chalukyas in 973 CE.
What are some interesting facts about the Rashtrakutas?
The Rashtrakutas were one of the most powerful dynasties in Indian history. They ruled over much of southern India for over two centuries. The Rashtrakutas were also patrons of the arts and literature. They built many temples and palaces, and their court was a center of learning and culture.
What is the legacy of the Rashtrakutas?
The Rashtrakutas left a lasting legacy on Indian history. They were successful in expanding their empire and extending their rule over much of southern India. They were also patrons of the arts and literature, and their court was a center of learning and culture. The Rashtrakutas are remembered as one of the most powerful and influential dynasties in Indian history.
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Rashtrakutas:
Which of the following dynasties ruled over the Deccan region of India in the 8th and 9th centuries? (A) The Chalukyas (B) The Pallavas (C) The Rashtrakutas (D) The Cholas
The Rashtrakutas were known for their patronage of art and architecture. Which of the following is one of their most famous temples? (A) The Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur (B) The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho (C) The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi (D) The Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram
The Rashtrakutas were a powerful military power. Which of the following is one of their most famous military victories? (A) The Battle of Talikota in 1565 (B) The Battle of Kurukshetra in 3102 BCE (C) The Battle Of Plassey in 1757 (D) The Battle of Haldighati in 1576
The Rashtrakutas were a Hindu dynasty. Which of the following is one of their most famous Hindu temples? (A) The Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur (B) The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho (C) The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi (D) The Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram
The Rashtrakutas were a Buddhist dynasty. Which of the following is one of their most famous Buddhist temples? (A) The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya (B) The Ajanta Caves (C) The Ellora Caves (D) The Sanchi Stupa
The Rashtrakutas were a Jain dynasty. Which of the following is one of their most famous Jain temples? (A) The Dilwara Temples in Mount Abu (B) The Ranakpur Jain Temple (C) The Palitana Jain Temples (D) The Girnar Jain Temples
The Rashtrakutas were a Muslim dynasty. Which of the following is one of their most famous Muslim temples? (A) The Qutub Minar in Delhi (B) The Jama Masjid in Delhi (C) The Red Fort in Delhi (D) The Taj Mahal in Agra
The Rashtrakutas were a Hindu dynasty that ruled over the Deccan region of India in the 8th and 9th centuries. They were known for their patronage of art and architecture, and their military power.
The Rashtrakutas were founded by Dantidurga in 753 CE. They reached their peak under the reign of Krishna I (756-774 CE), who conquered much of the Deccan and South India.
The Rashtrakutas were eventually overthrown by the Chalukyas in 973 CE. However, they left a lasting legacy on Indian history, and their art and architecture continue to be admired today.