The Rashtrakuta Dynasty (753-973 CE) - Class X

The Rashtrakuta and Chola were the new dynasties which took place of the Pallavas and the Chalukyas. The Cholas replaced the Pallavas in the Tamilakam and the Rashtrakutas replaced the Chalukyas of Badami. Both the Cholas and Rashtrakutas are known for their architectural works. The Rashtrakutas are credited with the construction of the Ellora caves, while the Cholas are known for temples like Rajarajeshwaram and Brihadeshwar.

Amoghavarsha I is historically credited with moving the Rashtrakuta capital from Mayurkhandi (near Ellora) to Manyakheta.

Govinda III was a powerful Rashtrakuta ruler who successfully campaigned against the Pratihara king Nagabhatta II.

Dhruva Dharavarsha established marital alliances with the Eastern Chalukyas to consolidate power, including marrying his daughter to Vishnuvardhana IV.

Manyakheta (or Malkhed) was built and established as the capital by Amoghavarsha I.

Amoghavarsha I was a great patron of literature and is credited with writing Kavirajamarga, the earliest available work on poetics in Kannada.

The Rashtrakuta kings were patrons of art. Their great contribution to Indian art can be seen in the Ellora and Elephanta cave temples. The Kailashnath temple at Ellora built by Krishna I is a monolithic wonder. This temple has been carved from a rock 100 feet high, 276 feet long and 154 feet wide. 

Amoghavarsha I was the greatest ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, and one of the great emperors of India. Sulaiman was a 9th-century Muslim merchant, traveler and writer initially from Siraf in modern-day Iran. He visited India during the time of the Pala Empire. He described Amoghavarsha as one of the four great kings of the world who respected the Muslims and allowed the construction of mosques. He patronized arts and literature during his reign.

Jinasena was a prominent Digambara Jain monk and the court poet/preceptor of the Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha I.

Karka II, the last Rashtrakuta ruler, was defeated by the Western Chalukya ruler Tailapa II, leading to the end of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Amoghavarsha I was a devout follower of Jainism and provided significant patronage to Jain scholars and institutions.

Historical records generally place the reign of the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva Dharavarsha from approximately 780 to 792 CE.

Since he was a peace-loving king, he had to give up some territories in the north. The ports of the west coast were busy trading centres and enjoyed great prosperity by developing trade relations with Persia and Arabian. Many travellers and merchants visited the kingdom during this period. Prominent among them was the Arab traveller, Sulaiman. He has praised Amoghavarsha as ‘One of the four powerful emperors of the World.

Amoghavarsha I engaged in conflicts with the Eastern Chalukyas and defeated Gunaga Vijayaditya.

Since he was a peace-loving king, he had to give up some territories in the north. The ports of the west coast were busy trading centres and enjoyed great prosperity by developing trade relations with Persia and Arabian. Many travellers and merchants visited the kingdom during this period. Prominent among them was the Arab traveller, Sulaiman. He has praised Amoghavarsha as ‘One of the four powerful emperors of the World.’ 

Karka II was the final monarch of the Rashtrakuta dynasty before it was overthrown by the Western Chalukyas.

The Rashtrakutas were Kannadigas. They were the fuedatory kings of the Chalukyas in the beginning. Later they became famous as the rulers of the vast kingdom in the South. The kingdom which began with Dantidurga, continued with Krishna, Govinda II, Dhruva, Govinda III, Amoghavarsha and others, and reached its peak.

The early reign of Amoghavarsha had to face many obstacles. But he was not interested in feuds and desired peace. Hence he got rid of the enmity by developing marital relations with the Gangas and the Pallavas. Since he was a peace-loving king, he had to give up some territories in the north. The ports of the west coast were busy trading centers and enjoyed great prosperity by developing trade relations with Persia and Arabian. Many travelers and merchants visited the kingdom during this period. Prominent among them was the Arab travaler Sulaiman. He has praised Amoghavarsha as one of the four powerful emperors of the World.

The Rashtrakuta kingdom which began with Dantidurga, continued with Krishna, Govinda II, Dhruva, Govinda III, Amoghavarsha and others, and reached its peak. The early reign of Amoghavarsha had to face many obstacles. But he was not interested in feuds and desired peace. Hence he got rid of the enemity by developing marital relations with the Gangas and the Pallavas.

The Pratiharas were frequently engaged in conflict with the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan. Nagabhatta I and his successors faced significant military pressure from the Rashtrakuta rulers.

The Kailasa temple at Ellora is a famous monolithic rock-cut temple commissioned by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the 8th century.

Gopala was the founder of the Pala dynasty, not Dharmapala. Dharmapala was a powerful ruler who expanded the empire, but he was the second king.

Cholas had their capital at Tanjavur (A-4). Hoysalas had their capital at Dwarasamudra (B-1). Pandyas had their capital at Madurai (C-2). Rashtrakutas had their capital at Malkhed (D-3).

Kavirajamarga is the earliest available work on rhetoric, poetics and grammar in the Kannada language. The name literally means "Royal Path for Poets" and was written as a guide book for poets and scholars (Kavishiksha). 

The  last ruler Keerthivarman II of Chalukya dynasty was defeated by the Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga in 753 AD. Dantidurga established the Rashtrakuta dynasty that ruled the Deccan and neighbouring areas of India till 975 CE. The early kings of this dynasty were influenced by Hinduism and the later kings by Jainism.

Pampa known as Adikavi wrote Adipurana. Ubhayakavi Poona composed 'Shanti Purana.' Ranna wrote 'Gadayuddha' (Sahas Bheem Vijaya).

The tripartite struggle for control over Kannauj involved the Rashtrakutas, the Palas, and the Pratiharas.