Rastrakutas

Rashtrakutas (755 – 975 A.D.)
The Rashtrakutas were of Kannada origin and Kannada
language was their mother tongue. Dantidurga was the founder of
the Rashtrakuta dynasty. He defeated the Gurjaras and captured
Malwa from them. Then he annexed the Chalukya kingdom by
defeating Kirtivarman II. Thus, the Rashtrakutas became a
paramount power in the Deccan.
His successor Krishna I was also a great conqueror. He
defeated the Gangas and the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. He built
the magnificent rock-cut monolithic Kailasa temple at Ellora. The
next important king of this dynasty was Govinda III. He achieved
victories over north Indian kingdoms.
His successor Amoghavarsha I (815- 880 A.D.) ruled for a
long period of 64 years. He had lost control over Malwa and
Gangavadi. Yet, his reign was popular for the cultural development.
He was a follower of Jainism. Jinasena was his chief preceptor. He
was also a patron of letters and he himself wrote the famous Kannada
work, Kavirajamarga. He had also built the Rashtrakuta capital,
the city of Malkhed or Manyakheda.
Virupaksha temple at
Pattadakkal
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Among the successors of Amoghavarsha I, Krishna III (936-
968 A.D.) was famous for his expeditions. He marched against the
Cholas and defeated them at Takkolam. He marched further south
and captured Tanjore. He went as far as Rameswaram and occupied
it for sometime. He built several temples in the conquered territories
including the Krishneswara temple at Rameswaram. Throughout his
reign he possessed the Tondaimandalam region including the capital
Kanchi. After his death, the power of the Rashtrakutas declined.
Administration
The Rashtrakuta Empire was divided into several provinces called
rashtras under the control of rashtrapatis. They were further divided
into vishayas or districts governed by vishayapatis. The next
subdivision was bhukti consisting of 50 to 70 villages under the control
of bhogapatis. These officers were directly appointed by the central
government. The village administration was carried on by the village
headmen. However, the village assemblies played a significant role in
the village administration.
Society and Economy
The Hindu sects of Vaishnavism and Saivism flourished during
the period of Rashtrakutas. Yet, they did not affect the progress of
Jainism under the patronage of Rashtrakuta kings and officers. Almost
one third of the population of the Deccan were Jains. There were some
prosperous Buddhist settlements at places like Kanheri, Sholapur and
Dharwar. There was harmony among various religions. There was a
college at Salatogi, situated in modern Bijapur district. An inscription
gives details of this educational centre. It was run by the income from
the endowments made by the rich as well as by all the villagers on
occasions of functions and festivals.
The economy was also in a flourishing condition. There was an
active commerce between the Deccan and the Arabs. The Rashtrakuta
kings promoted the Arab trade by maintaining friendship with them.
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Cultural Contributions
The Rashtrakutas widely patronized the Sanskrit literature.
There were many scholars in the Rashtrakuta court. Trivikrama wrote
Nalachampu and the Kavirahasya was composed by Halayudha
during the reign of Krishna III. The Jain literature flourished under
the patronage of the Rashtrakutas. Amogavarsha I, who was a Jain
patronized many Jain scholars. His teacher Jinasena composed
Parsvabhudaya, a biography of Parsva in verses. Another scholar
Gunabhadra wrote the Adipurana, the life stories of various Jain
saints. Sakatayana wrote the grammer work called Amogavritti.
The great mathematician of this period, Viracharya was the author
of Ganitasaram.
The Kannada literature saw its beginning during the period of
the Rashtrakutas. Amogavarsha’s Kavirajamarga was the first
poetic work in Kannada language. Pampa was the greatest of the
Kannada poets. His famous work was
Vikramasenavijaya. Ponna was another
famous Kannada poet and he wrote
Santipurana.
Art and Architecture
The art and architecture of the
Rashtrakutas were found at Ellora and
Elephanta. At Ellora, the most remarkable
temple is the Kailasa temple. It was excavated
during the reign of Krishna I. It is carved out of
a massive block of rock 200 feet long, and 100
feet in breadth and height. The temple consists
of four parts – the main shrine, the entrance gateway, an intermediate
shrine for Nandi and mandapa surrounding the courtyard. The temple
stands on a lofty plinth 25 feet high. The central face of the plinth has
KAILASA TEMPLE
AT ELLORA
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imposing figures of elephants and lions giving the impression that the
entire structure rests on their back. It has a three-tiered sikhara or
tower resembling the sikhara of the Mamallapuram rathas. In the
interior of the temple there is a pillared hall which has sixteen square
pillars. The Kailasa temple is an architectural marvel with it beautiful
sculptures. The sculpture of the Goddess Durga is shown as slaying the
Buffalo demon. In another sculpture Ravana was making attempts to
lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Siva. The scenes of Ramayana were
also depicted on the walls. The general characteristics of the Kailasa
temple are more Dravidian.
Elephanta is an island near Bombay. It was originally called
Sripuri. The Portuguese after seeing the large figure of an elephant named
it Elephanta. The sculptural art of the Rashtrakutas reached its zenith in
this place. There is a close similarity between the sculptures at Ellora
and those in Elephanta. They might have been carved by the same
craftsmen. At the entrance to the sanctum there are huge figures of
dwara-palakas. In the walls of the prakara around the sanctum there
are niches containing the images of Shiva in various forms – Nataraja,
Gangadhara, Ardhanareesvara and Somaskanda. The most imposing
figure of this temple is Trimurthi. The sculpture is six metre high. It is
said to represent the three aspects of Shiva as Creator, Preserver and
Destroyer.
Learning Outcome
After learning this lesson the students will be able to explain
1. The political history of the Chalukyas of Badami.
2. Art and architecture of the Chalukyas.
3. Achievements of the Rashtrakuta rulers.
4. Cultural contributions of the Rashtrakutas.
5. Literary developments during the Rashtrakuta rule.
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MODEL QUESTIONS
I. Choose the correct answer.
1. Aihole inscription was issued by

1. …… was the capital of Rashtrakutas.
2. The founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was …..
3. Sripuri was renamed as Elephanta by ……
III. Match the following.
1. Ravikirti a) Vikramasenavijaya
2. Amoghavarsha I b) Ganitasaram
3. Pampa c) Aihole inscription
4. Viracharya d) Kavirajamarga
IV. Find out the correct statement. One statement alone is
right.
a) Ellora is an island near Bombay.
b) The Kailasa temple is at Ellora.
c) The temples at Ellora were built during the Chalukya rule.
d) The Kailasa temple at Ellora was built by Pulakesin II.
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V. State whether the following statements are True or
False.
1. iuen Tsang visited the Deccan during the reign of
Amoghavarsha I.
2. The beginning of Kannada literature commenced during the
Rashtrakuta rule.
3. Dantidurga was the last ruler of the Chalukyas.
VI. Write short notes (Any three points).
1. Aihole inscription
2. Pattadakal
3. Ellora
4. Elephanta
VII. Answer briefly (100 words).
1. Give a brief account of the achievements of Pulakesin II.
2. Give an estimate of Amoghavarsha I.
VIII. Answer in detail (200 words).
1. Give an account of the development of art and architecture
under the Chalukyas of Badami.
2. Evaluate the cultural contributions of the Rashtrakutas.