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Rashtrakutas

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"The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty which ruled the Deccan during the 8th-10th centuries. Feudatories of the Chalukyas they rose to prominence after the Chalukyas fell to Dantidurga. The Pratiharas, Vengis, Gangas Cholas and Palas were their contemporaries. They were destined to become a truly formidable political force in South India, and in fact, waves of their imperial expansion went beyond the Vindhyas into North India, where they had occasions to pose as masters. Their dazzling political achievements, however, were adequately matched by some of their impressive contributions to Karnataka and Kannada culture. The period of their rule is considered as the time of "imperial Kannada". Kannada inscriptions have been discovered as far north as Jabalpur, MadhyaPradesh" - History Of Karnataka, Mr. Arthikaje.

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The Rashtrakutas also contributed to Maharashtra and its culture. They contributed magnificiently to architecture in places like Elephanta and Ellora in Maharashtra, Lokapura, Kuknur and Pattadakal in Karnataka.

Origin

The Rashtrakutas were feudatories to the Chalukyas and came into prominence under Dantidurga around 753 CE.Their oldest inscription is found in Satara district of Maharashtra beloning to 6th century.In it Rashtrakuta king Avidheya has donated a village to learned brahmins. The inscription is in sanskrit written in Bhrami script. This has confirmed their origin at above place[citation needed]. Earlier theories for a point of reference are given below.

Dr. A.S. Altekar claims in his book Rashtrakutas and their Times (1934) that while the Rashtrakutas were descendents of the Rastiks or Rathikas mentioned in the edits of King Ashoka, the original home builders of the Rashtrakuta empire was present day Karnataka. According to him, they inherited the cultural tradition of Karnataka, spoke Kannada as their mother tongue and almost all their inscriptions are in Kannada. They patronized Kannada literature. The earliest extant classical work on Kannada poetics, Kavirajamarga, is ascribed to Nripatunga Amoghavarsha I himself, though some historians argue that it may have been written by his court poet Sri Vijaya Ponna. This was the time of great Kannada poets like Adikavi Pampa and Shivakoti Acharya who wrote Vaddaradhane, probably the earliest prose work in Kannada langauge. The Rashtrakuta inscriptions are almost all in the Kannada script and language. An epigraph of Krishna III composed in ornate literary style has been found at Jura near Jabbalpur. According to historian P.B. Desai, Rashtrakutas called themselves Lattalura - Puravara -Dhisvara, implying thereby that they hailed from Lattalur or Latur in Osmanabad district of present day Maharashtra. Dr. P. B. Desai is of opinion that the area formerly formed the part of present day Karnataka as attested by the surviving vestiges of Kannada place - names, Kannada inscriptions and other cultural relics. Dr. Altekar, however, believes that Rashtrakutas of Malkhed (Manyakheta, Gulbarga) were a different branch and could not be identified with those of Lattalur. It was from Manyakheta that the empire ruled large parts of India.

The suffix "Ur" is a Kannada term indicating town or city as in "Mysuru" (Mysore) and "Bangaluru" (Bangalore).

Perhaps, Dr. Desai means that Latur in present day Maharashtra was a part of Kannada country at that time. One must cautiously look at these modern theories based on newly formed states on linguistic criterion.

Rashtrakutas find mention in the edicts of Ashoka, where they are referred to as the Rathika or Rastika. The Rashtrakuta's ruled nearly all of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for several centuries. Dhruva (780 CE - 793 CE) considerably expanded the kingdom. The Rashtrakuta's were involved in several wars and alliances with other deccan kingdoms like the Vengi, Cholas and Gangas.

The final decline was sudden, Taila II (973 CE - 997 CE) a feudatory of the Rashtrakutas tracing his lineage back to the Chalukyas declared himself independent after defeating the king Indra II. However by this time, several branches of Rashtrakutas had established themselves in North India.

Kannada inscriptions from this empire from the Bombay-Karnataka region have been deciphered and recorded by historians of Archeological Survey of India - South Indian Inscriptions (vol 9, 11,15,17 and 18).

Literature

Kannada rose as a literary language during the Rashtrakuta rule. Most of their inscriptions are in that language. The Rashtrakutas were great patrons of learning, many literary, religious and scientific texts were written during theor rule. The Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha is thought to have written Prashottara Ratnamakike.

Kannada language, script and literature showed remarkable growth during the Rashtrakuta period. Kannada alphabet assumed sound and beautiful shapes and forms, and its literature attained productivity and dignity. The inscriptions mention a number of Kannada poets. However, the first extant work in Kannada is Kavirajamarga, a treatise on Kannada poetics. It is ascribed to the Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha I Nripatunga. Although some scholars argue that it was written by his court - poet, Sri Vijaya Ponna, the famous Kannada poet, was patronized by Krishna III, and was honoured with the title, Kavichakravarthi. The great classical Kannada poet, Pampa who wrote Adipurana and Vikramarjuna Vijaya, was patronized by Arikesari of Vemulavada, who was a feudatory of the Rashtrakutas. The inscription at Jura, belonging to the reign of Krishna III, is regarded as an epigraphical landmark of classical Kannada literary composition, with charming poetic diction in polished Kannada metre.

Art and Architecture

The Rashtrakuta contributions to art and architecture are reflected in the splendid rock-cut shrines at Ellora and Elephanta,situated in present day Maharashtra. It is said that they altogether constructed 34 rock-cut shrines, but most extensive and sumptuous of them all is the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora. The temple is a splendid achievement of dravidian art.

"This project was started by Krishna I (757- 773) of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. His rule had also spread to southern India, hence this temple was excavated in the prevailing style. Its builders modelled it on the lines of the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal. Being a south Indian style temple, it does not have a shikhara common to north Indian temples".-The Guide to the Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, Takeo Kamiya, 1996, Japan Architects Academy, Archeological Survey of India.

Vincent Smith extols it as "the most marvelous architectural freak and one of the wonders of the world".

Some of the khyats of the Rathore clan of Jodhpur claim descent of the family from the Rashtrakutas. Archaeological evidence confirm that Rathore Rajputs indeed owe their origin to them. The Rashtrakute Maratha clan, one of the 96 maratha clans is also descended from them.

Rashtrakuta Empire

At its height, the Rashtrakutas ruled a vast empire. One inscription mentions Govinda III, having horses which drank the icy water of the Himalayas and his war elephant tasted the sacred water of Ganga. His conquered regions from Cape Comorin to Kanouj and from Banaras to Broach. For details see Span of Rashtrakuta Empire


Impact of the Rashtrakutas On Indian History and Culture

The rise of Rashtrakuts and Chalukyas had a great impact even in North India. See The great Karnataka Expansion.However one must remember that Karnataka as a state came into effect in 20th century and that is story of all states in India. The term "Karnataka" however is nothing new. Rashtrakuta inscriptions call the Badami Chalukyas, as Karnataka Bala. The word Karnata itself is said to originate from the word karu nadu meaning elevated land.

List of rulers of Rashtrakuta

Earlier Rashtrakuta rulers were regional kings under the Chalukyas. Dantidurga was the first independent Rashtrakuta king.

Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (present day Malkhed):

  • Avidheya,6th century
  • Dantidurga (735-756), son of Chalukya princess, conquered Malava and Lata (Gujarat)
  • Krishna I (756-774)
  • Govinda II (774-780)
  • Dhruva Dharavarsha (780-793), took Kannauj
  • Govinda III (793-814)
  • Amoghavarsha I (814-878), disciple of Jinasena, author of the first part of Mahapurana
  • Krishna II Akalavarsha (878-914)
  • Govinda IV
  • Indra III (914-929)
  • Amoghavarsha II (929-930)
  • Govinda IV (930-935)
  • Amoghavarsha III (934-939)
  • Krishna III (939-967)
  • Khottiga Amoghavarsha (967-972), attacked by Paramara Siyaka Harsha
  • Karka II Amoghhavarsha IV (972-973), defeated by Chalukya Taila I
  • Indra IV (973-982), entered samadhi at Shravanabelagola


For details see History of Karnataka

Rashtrakutas of Lata:

  • Indra (807-818) (brother of Govinda III above)
  • Karka and Govinda (818-826)
  • Dhruva II (835-845)
  • Akalavarsha Shubhatunga (867-)
  • Dhruva III (-871)
  • Direct rule from Manyakhet established after Dhruva III

Rashtrakutas of Hastikundi (near Jodhpur)

  • Harivarma
  • Vidagdha (916-938)
  • Mammata (939-)
  • Balaprasada (997)
  • The Hathundi Rathores are descendants of this clan.

Rashtrakutas of Dahal (in MP)

  • Golhanadeva (1023)


Rashtrakutas of Mandore/Jodhpur

  • The lineage of Rathors of Mandore/Jodhpur starts with Rao Siyaji in 1226 and continues today.


See also

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