Rashtrakuta Dynasty: Comprehensive and Detailed Notes for UPSC Preparation

Origin and Establishment of the Rashtrakutas

• The Rashtrakutas were initially of Kannada-speaking origin, and their base of power was the Deccan plateau.
• The origins of the dynasty are subject to debate, with some sources suggesting that the Rashtrakutas initially served as feudatories under the Chalukyas of Badami before gaining prominence.
• The dynasty’s founding is attributed to Dantidurga (735–756 CE), who laid the groundwork for Rashtrakuta rule by overthrowing the Chalukyas and establishing the Rashtrakuta empire in Malkhed (modern-day Karnataka).

Key Rulers of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty

1. Dantidurga or Dantivarman II (735–756 CE)

• Dantidurga also known as Dantivarman II is regarded as the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• He consolidated his rule by defeating the Chalukyas of Badami around 753 CE, marking the beginning of the Rashtrakuta empire.
• His military campaigns expanded Rashtrakuta territory into Maharashtra and other parts of the Deccan region.
• Dantidurga’s success set the stage for the future expansion and consolidation of the Rashtrakutas.

2. Krishna I (756–774 CE)

• Krishna I, the successor of Dantidurga, was a highly capable ruler who further expanded the empire.
• He is best remembered for commissioning the construction of the Kailasa Temple at Ellora in 760 CE, a monolithic rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• His military campaigns led to the annexation of territories in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, further solidifying Rashtrakuta power.

3. Dhruva Dharavarsha (780–793 CE)

• Dhruva Dharavarsha expanded Rashtrakuta influence both in the north and south.
• He defeated the Pallavas of Kanchipuram in the south and Pandyas in Tamil Nadu.
• In the north, he waged wars against Pratiharas and Palas in the Tripartite Struggle for control of Kannauj (around 788 CE).
• His victories expanded Rashtrakuta influence into northern India, establishing the dynasty as a powerful contender in the politics of the region.

4. Govinda III (793–814 CE)

• Govinda III is often regarded as one of the most powerful Rashtrakuta rulers.
• He defeated the Pala king Dharmapala and Pratihara king Nagabhata II in a decisive battle during the Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj (around 800 CE).
• His reign saw the Rashtrakutas extend their influence from Kannauj in the north to Kanchipuram in the south.
• Govinda III also established diplomatic relations with foreign kingdoms, including the Arabs in the Gulf region, marking the Rashtrakutas as a globally significant empire.

5. Amoghavarsha I (814–878 CE)

• Amoghavarsha I, considered one of the greatest Rashtrakuta rulers, focused on peace and cultural achievements rather than military expansion.
• He shifted the capital from Mayurkhandi to Manyakheta (modern-day Malkhed in Karnataka) around 830 CE.
• Amoghavarsha I was a patron of literature and authored the Kavirajamarga (around 850 CE), the earliest extant work on Kannada grammar and poetics.
• His reign also saw the flourishing of Jainism, and he was a devout Jain himself, contributing to the growth of Jain religious and cultural practices in the Deccan region.

6. Krishna II (878–914 CE)

• Krishna II faced considerable challenges from the Eastern Chalukyas and the Cholas, leading to the gradual weakening of the Rashtrakuta empire.
• His reign witnessed several military engagements, including conflicts with the Eastern Chalukyas (around 890 CE) and Pallavas (around 900 CE), but his efforts to maintain dominance were less successful compared to his predecessors.

7. Indra III (914–927 CE)

• Indra III revived the Rashtrakutas’ fortunes after the decline under Krishna II.
• He captured Kannauj from the Pratiharas in 916 CE, marking a major victory in the ongoing Tripartite Struggle.
• Indra III’s reign saw the Rashtrakutas regain much of their lost prestige and dominance in northern India, reasserting their place as a formidable empire.

8. Krishna III (939–967 CE)

• Krishna III is known for his successful military campaigns in southern India, particularly against the Cholas.
• He defeated the Chola king Parantaka II and captured Kanchipuram in 949 CE, further extending Rashtrakuta influence into the Tamil-speaking regions of the south.
• His reign was marked by aggressive military policies, but internal dissent and weakening control in the Deccan would eventually contribute to the dynasty’s decline.

9. Karka II (972–973 CE)

• Karka II was the last significant ruler of the Rashtrakutas.
• His weak and ineffective rule led to the eventual overthrow of the Rashtrakutas by the Western Chalukyas under Tailapa II in 973 CE, marking the end of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Administration and Governance

• The Rashtrakutas followed a feudal system, with the king exercising supreme authority and local chieftains or feudatories governing various provinces.
• The empire was divided into Mandala (provinces), each governed by a Samanta (feudal lord or governor) responsible for maintaining law and order and collecting taxes.
• The village assemblies (Sabhas) played a crucial role in local governance, particularly in areas like the Deccan where decentralized power was common.
• The Rashtrakutas maintained a strong military, with an emphasis on cavalry, elephant corps, and a well-organized infantry, allowing them to conduct successful campaigns across India.

Cultural and Architectural Contributions of Rashtrakuta Dynasty

• The Kailasa Temple at Ellora, built by Krishna I in 760 CE, remains one of the most magnificent examples of rock-cut architecture in India.
  • The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a masterpiece of structural engineering, carved from a single rock.
• The Rashtrakutas were patrons of Jainism, and they built several Jain temples at Ellora and other locations in the Deccan region.
• Amoghavarsha I was a great patron of literature, and his reign saw the composition of several important works in Kannada and Sanskrit.
  • The Kavirajamarga (850 CE), a guide to Kannada poetics, is attributed to Amoghavarsha, marking the earliest known work on Kannada grammar.
• The Rashtrakutas also supported Buddhism, and their reign saw the construction of several Buddhist viharas and monasteries in regions like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Military and Conquests

• The Rashtrakutas were known for their military prowess and expansionist policies.
  • Under Dhruva Dharavarsha (780–793 CE), they waged wars against the Pallavas of Kanchipuram, the Pandyas, and Pratiharas (around 788 CE), asserting their dominance across both northern and southern India.
• Govinda III (793–814 CE) achieved significant victories during the Tripartite Struggle, defeating Pratihara king Nagabhata II and Pala king Dharmapala (around 800 CE), which allowed the Rashtrakutas to control Kannauj.
• The Rashtrakutas also conducted successful campaigns against the Cholas.
  • Krishna III (939–967 CE) defeated the Chola ruler Parantaka II at the Battle of Takkolam (949 CE), further consolidating Rashtrakuta control in southern India.
• Despite these military successes, the Rashtrakutas eventually faced internal dissent and external pressures from the Chalukyas, which led to their decline.

Economy and Trade

• The Rashtrakutas maintained extensive trade relations, both domestically and internationally.
  • They exported spices, precious stones, and silks to regions like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and China.
• They also facilitated trade through well-maintained roads, ports, and trading centers in southern and western India.
• The Rashtrakutas minted their own gold and silver coins, which facilitated trade and commerce throughout their empire.

Decline of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty

• The decline of the Rashtrakutas began under Krishna III (939–967 CE), whose aggressive campaigns in southern India overstretched the empire’s resources.
• Karka II (972–973 CE), the last ruler of the dynasty, was unable to maintain control over the empire, leading to the rise of the Western Chalukyas under Tailapa II.
• In 973 CE, the Rashtrakuta dynasty came to an end after their defeat by the Western Chalukyas, marking the conclusion of their rule in the Deccan region.