For students of BA II Sem BHU

1. Rashtrakutas
By
Prachi Virag Sontakke

3. Introduction
• Emergence as dominant dynasty that
held its influence in both north &
south India.
• Successors of Chalukyas of Vatapi in
Deccan.
• Ruled over parts of Maharashtra &
Karnataka.
• Capital : Manyakheta = In Gulbarga,
Karnataka

4. Sources
• Inscriptions: Radhanpur
inscription, Baroda inscription,
Sanjan copper plate etc.
• Literature: Jain Harivamsha
Purana etc
• Accounts of Foreign writers
• Structural remains
• Art remains.
• Excavated antiquities.

8. Ramayana panel

12. Jaina Narayana temple Pattadakal built by Amoghavarsha

13. Kashivishvanatha temple, Pattadakal

17. Origin of Rashtrakutas
Person name
Place Name

18. Origin: Place name
Rashtra =State,
Zone Kuta = Head, Chief.

19. Origin : Name of a person
• Karhad + Devali inscription: Origin from a person named Tung who
was son of Aadipurush Ratta.
• Wardha copper plates: Rashtrakutas related to Princess Ratta whose
son was named Rashtrakutas.

20. Original Homeland
• A.S.Altekar: Karnataka
• D.R.Bhandarkar: Maharashtra
• S.C.Nandimath: Osmanabad, Maharashtra which was a part of
Karnataka in ancient times.
• Burnell: Andhra Pradesh.
• V.A.Smith: Rajputana and Kannauj

21. Dynastic affiliations
• C.V.Vaidya + A.S.Alketar + D.R.Bhandarkar: Related to Rathikas mentioned
in Ashokan inscriptions.
• J.F.Fleet: Rashtrakutas = Descendants of Rathors of Kannauj & Rajputana.
• Vishwanath Reu: Descendants of Gahadwalas of Kannauj.
• View of Fleet and Vishwanath Reu: Unacceptable.
• Rathores and Gahadwalas arose after the decline of Rashtrakutas.
• Rashtrakutas were Chandravamshi while Gahadwala Rathods were
Suryavamshi.
• Gotra of Rashtrakutas was Gautam while that of Gahadawalas and Rathods
was Kashyap.
• Some: Rashtrakutas related to Yadava Satyiki.
• Radhnapur inscription: Rashtrakutas and Yadavas 2 different families.
• Later Rashtrakuta inscriptions: Related themselves to Satyiki Yadava.

22. Origin-Original homeland-Dynasty: Derivatives
• Related to Rathikas and Maharathikas mentioned in ancient sources.
• Original homeland = Maharashtra.
• Later moved to Karnataka.
• Rashtrakuta inscriptions: Rashtrakuta Gotra = Gautam & they were
Chandravamshi kshatriyas.
• Radhnapur inscription: Rashtrakutas and Yadavas 2 different families.
• Later Rashtrakuta inscriptions: Related themselves to Satyiki Yadava.
• Royal insignia = Garuda.
• Early rulers = Feudatories of Chalukyas.

23. Early rulers
S.N. Rashtrakuta king Probable date
1 Durgaraja c.630-650CE
2 Govindaraja c.650-670CE
3 Swamiraja c.670-690CE
4 Nannaraja c.690-714CE
• 6-7th cent CE: Rashtrakuta presence in
Maharashtra & M.P.
• Ruling Elichpur
• Tiwarkhed inscription of Nannaraj gives
names of early rulers.
Elichpur

24. Nannaraja
• S/O Swamiraja
• Title: Yuddhashoora
• Feudatory of Vatapi Chalukyas.
• Altekar: on the basis of Tivarkheda inscription Achalpur was his capital.
• Altekar: Nannanoor was samant of Pulkesin II

25. Rashtrakuta succession
Nannaraja
Dantivarman I
Indra I
Govindaraja: c.665-
700CE
Karkaraja: c.700-
714CE
Sons of Karkaraja
Indra II
Dhruv
Krishna
Nannaraja II

26. Indra II (714-735CE)
• First significant king of Rashtrakuta dynasty
• Samanta of Chalukya Vijayaditya
• Expanded Rashtrakuta dominion in north
• Had huge army of horse and elephant riders.
• Sanjan Copper plate: Rakshas vivah with Lata Chalukya princess
Bhavnaga.
• No retaliation from Lata Chalukyas?
• Indra : A powerful ruler?

27. Rashtrakuta Emperors (CE)
Dantidurga (735 - 756)
Krishna I (756 - 774)
Govinda II (774 - 780)
Dhruva Dharavarsha (780 - 793)
Govinda III (793 - 814)
Amoghavarsha (814 - 878)
Krishna II (878 - 914)
Indra III (914 -929)
Amoghavarsha II (929 - 930)
Govinda IV (930 – 936)
Amoghavarsha III (936 – 939)
Krishna III (939 – 967)
Main Rashtrakuta
kings

28. Dantidurg (734-753CE)
• S/O Indra II & Bhavanaga.
• Samanta during reign of Vikramaditya II Chalukya
• Ambitious king
• Became independent during reign of Chalukya king Kirtivarman II.
• First independent king of Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• Real founder of Rashtrakuta power.
• Received Barar & Malwa in succession.
• Took benefit of political situation: no powerful king.
• Titles: Prithvivallabha, Vallabharaja, Maharajsharva, Khadagavaloka, Saahastunga etc

29. Imperialistic campaigns: As a samanta
1. Southern Gujrat
• Defeated Gurjars of Nandipuri, Gujrat; Chalukyas of Navsari; & Maitrakas of
Vallabhi.
• Appointed his nephew as governor of Southern Gujrat.
2. Sanjan copper plate: Pratiharas and Malva
• Performed Hiranyagarbha Mahadana in Ujjaini, capital of Malva.
• Donated a Gem studded diadem to the main diety- Shiva Mahakaal.
• Gurjar king forced to act as a guard during this ceremony.
• Name of Gurjar Pratihara king = ??
3. Samadnagar inscription: Army of Dantidurg bathed in waters of Mahi,
Mahanadi & Narmada.
Defeated Vallabh & took titles राजाधिराज एवं परमेश्वर

30. Dantidurga vs.His Chalukya overlord Kirtivarman II
• Kept on increasing his power while functioning as a feudatory
• Inevitable power struggle between master and feudatory.
• Dantidurga revolted sensing the weakness of Chalukya king
• Defeated Kirtivarman II.
• Rashtrakuta inscriptions: Dantidurga defeated the mighty army of Chalukyas by raising
his eyebrows only.
• S.M.Misra: Dantidurga made full-fledged preparations for this battle.
• Altekar: Victory attained by some diplomatic move.
• Kirtivarman still functioning as Chalukyan king.
• Dantidurga declared himself to be the king of whole of Maharashtra.
• Samangad inscription: titles - परमभट्टारक, महाराजाधिराज, परमेश्वर

31. Dantidurga vs. Pallavas
• Attacked Pallava kingdom and defeated Nandivarman II
• Matrimonial alliance established.
• Dantidurg married his daughter with Nadivarman Pallavamalla.

32. Dantidurg’s victories as outlined in his inscriptions
• Won Kerala, Chola, Pandya, Pallava
Nandivarman II,Harshavardhan, Kalinga, South
Kosal, Shri Shail, Malavas, Lata, Tank, Arabs in
Sindhu.
• Later inscriptions: Dantidurga addressed as
conqueror of kings between Himalayas to
Rameshwaram.
• Difficult to ascertain authenticity sequence and
chronology of all these conquests

33. Extent of kingdom
• North: Gujrat Malva
• South: Till Pallava kingdom
• East: Vengi
• West: Konkan
• उत्तर: गुजरात, मालवा
• Helped in his campaigns by his uncle Krishna & nephew Karka
• Titles: परमभट्टारक, महाराजाधिराज, परमेश्वर, वल्लभ, पृथ्वीवल्लभ, वल्लभराज,
महाराजशवव, खड़गावलोक, साहसतुंग आदि।

34. Krishna I (753-773CE)
• V.Smith + C.V.Vaidya: Krishna I killed Dantidurga & ascended the
Rashtrakuta throne.
• Navsari inscription: Dantidurga met a natural end.
• Karda inscription: Since Dantidurga died without any son, Krishna I became
king.
• Krishna I = Dantidurg’s uncle
• Took titles शुभतुंग, अकालवर्व ,पृथ्वीवल्लभ, श्रीवल्लभ

35. Internal conflict: Krishna I vs. Karka
• Karka II= appointed as governor of Gujrat by Dantidurga.
• After the death of Dantidurga, Karka II declared himself as
independent king.
• Took titles indicative of his status as an emperor.
• Karka II challenged accession of Krishna I: rebellion
• Krishna I defeated him & forced him to submit to his dominion

36. Krishna I vs. Chalukya king Kirtivarman II
• Death of Dantidurg : Opportunity for Kirtivarman.
• Tried to extend his territories.
• Krishna I decided to crush him.
• Fought & defeated Kirtivarman II.
• Baroda inscription of Karka II: Lion amongst kings, Krishna I, made Kirtivaraman a
deer.
• Inscription of Govind II: Vallabha (Krishna I) took the royal Laxmi of Chalukyas.
• With this defeat, reign of Chalukya dynasty ended.

37. Krishna I vs. Gangas
• Attacked Gangavadi.
• Ganga king = king Siyagalla, S/O Sripurush
• Few rounds of battles.
• Initially, Siyagalla victorious - Later he was defeated
• Celebrated a victory festival in Ganga capital
Manyapur ( = Tumkur).
• Seized the treasures of Gangas
• Made Sripurush his feudatory.
• Victory somewhere around 738CE.

38. Krishna I vs. Vengi Chalukyas
• Boundaries of Rashtrakutas touching Vengi
• Vengi king = Vishnuvardhan IV
• C.768CE: Krishna I attacked Vengi
• Alas copper plate: Rashtrakuta army led by
Govinda II, S/O Krishna, defeated Vengi
king.
• Vishnuvardhan offered his treasury to
Govinda II.

39. Krishna I vs. Konkan
• Defeated kings of south
Konkan.
• Appointed Sanafulla of
Shilahara family as king
of Konkan.

40. Krishna I: Achievements
1. Powerful & far sighted Rashtrakuta king
2. Extent of empire: M.P., Maharashtra, Karnataka.
3. Patron of arts and literature
4. Constructed temples at Ellora
5. Baroda inscription: Even Gods were amazed at sight of Ellora.
6. Constructed 18 shiva temples.

44. Plinth

45. Pillars

46. Govind II (774-780CE)
• S/O Krishna I
• Appointed Yuvaraja in c.770/772CE
• Exposure and experience as Yuvaraj.
• Defeated king of Vengi Vishnuvardhan IV when he was a Yuvaraja.
• 774-775CE: Became king.
• Titles: महाराजाधिराज, ववक्रमावलोक, प्रभूतवर्व, वल्लभ

47. Govind II
• Indulged in life of pleasure and vice.
• Karhad inscription: Abandoned royal affairs. Gave up responsibility of administration to his
brother Dhruva.
• Dhruva started issuing royal proclamations in his own name = Govind II angry.
• Immediately removed Dhruv.
• Feudatories realising internal dissentions, became lukewarm in their loyalty.
• Govind II Initiated alliance with Vengi+ Malwa + Gangvaadi + Kanchi
• Ministers angry with this alliance: All were old enemies of Rashtrakutas.
• But before he could respond, Dhruva attacked him: Open revolt
• Govind II was either killed or taken in captivity
• Dhruva became Rashtrakuta king.
• K.V.Subramanyam: Govinda II a benevolent ruler= himself gave up throne in Dhruva’s favour

48. Dhruva (780-793CE)
• Dhuliya copper plates: till 779 CE Dhruva accepted Govind II’s sovereignty.
• Ruled as governor of Nasik and Khandesh under Govind II.
• Daulatabad copper plates: Govind II saved Govardhan (in Nasik) & defeated
Paariyaatra.
• Altekar: Governor of Nasik = Rashtrakuta Dhruv. He revolted & so defeated
• 780CE: Became independent
• Set out to fight those who supported Govinda II against him.

49. Imperialistic campaign: Pallavas
• Pallava king Dantiivarman II had supported
Govind II
• Dhruva attacked Kanchi.
• Radhanpur inscription: Pallava king was
scared of Rashtrakuta king.
• Some: Rashtrakuta king = Govind III
• Defeated?
• Offered Dhruva numerous elephants.

50. Dhruv vs. Chalukyas of Vengi
• Dhruva attacked Vengi Chalukyas while
retreating from north Indian campaign?
• Vengi king = Vishnuvardhan IV
• Vishnuvardhan IV supported Govind II during
accession conflict.
• Matrimonial alliance.
• Dhruva married daughter of Vishnuvardhan.
• D.C.Ganguli: Vishnuvardhan fought for
Dhruva against western Gangas.

51. Imperialistic campaign: Gangas
• Ganga king Sripurush = old
• Ganga royal affairs looked after by his son
Shivamara II.
• Dhruva attacked: Shivamara II fought bravely.
• But was defeated.
• Dhruva imprisoned Shivamara II.
• Annexed Gangawadi to Rashtrakuta kingdom.
• Appointed his son Stambhha as governor of
Gangawadi.

52. North Indian campaign
• Kannauj = Centre of North Indian
politics
• Pratiharas-Palas-Rashtrakutas
• Competition to become supreme
power.

53. Dhruv I vs. Pratiharas
• 782CE: Dhruv in Lata.
• Preparations for attack: Army stationed near
Narmada.
• Himself led the battle against Pratihara king
Vatsaraja.
• Radhanpur inscription + Wani Didori inscription
+ Baroda inscription: Rashtrakuta king Dhruva
defeated Vatsaraja. Vatsaraja took shelter in
Rajputana.
• Altekar: Battle fought in around 787CE.
• Devali inscription: Dhruva had 3 white parasols
of which 2 he got from Pratiharas.

54. Dhruv vs. Palas
• Pala king = Dharampala.
• Sanjan copper plate: Dhruva defeated
Dharampala & took 2 royal parasols from him.
• 2 parasols = Ganga-Yamuna doab
• Battle fought in Ganga-Yamuna doab.
• Bhandarkar: Dharampala allied with Vatsaraja
against Dhruva.
• Not backed by evidence.

55. North Indian
campaign: anaylsis
• Didn’t led to expansion of empire.
• Defeated kingdoms nor attached to
Rashtrakuta dominion.
• No new lands, neither new taxable
population.
• Pratihara-Palas: Neighbouring
powers.
• Campaign an attempt to diffuse off
growing their power?
• Attempt to showcase Rashtrakuta
might?
• Whatever the motive, it led to
establishment of Dhruva’s image as
supreme king of India

56. Dhruva: Assessment
• Mighty monarch.
• Farsighted and capable leader.
• Re established Rashtrakuta ascendency in south.
• Altekar: First time after a lapse of 9 centuries, a Deccan force crossed
Vindhyas and ventured into heartland of Madhyadesha.
• Started the ‘tradition’ of north Indian campaign in south Indian history.
• Titles: कललवल्लभ (युद्ि प्रेमी), निरूपम (अद्ववतीय), िारावर्व, श्रीवल्लभ,
महाराजाधिराज, परमेश्वर आदि

57. Succession amongst Dhruva’s sons
Karka : Died
Stambha : Made king of Gangavadi.
Govind III: coronated as Rashtrakuta king.
Indra II: Made king of Malva & Gujrat.

58. Govind III (793-814CE)
• S/O Dhruv
• Capable son of capable father.
• Continued the Rashtrakuta policy of invading north India.
• Surpassed his father in political might.
• Paithan copper plates + Surat copper plates: Govind III received his
kingdom in a formal coronation organised by his father.
• But insecure with regard to his elder brother Stambha.

59. Govind III:
Career Govind III
4
Pratiahara-
Palas
3
Vengi
2
South India
1.
Revolt of
Stambh

60. Internal rebellion
• Stambh = Elder brother of Govind III: coveted Rashtrakuta throne
• Befriended samantas, ministers and kings opposing Govind III’s accession.
• Navasari inscription: Stambh formed a alliance with 12 samantas and ministers.
• Kings of Nolamvadi, Banavasi, Dharwad in this federation.
• Rebellion led by Pallava king Dantivarman.
• Sisvai + Sanjan copper plates: Govind III supported by younger brother Indra.
• Govind III: Diplomatic strategy = Divide and rule.
• Released Ganga king Shivmara II from prison.
• Thought Shivamar will fight Stambh as Stambh was made king of Gangwadi by Dhruv
• Strategy failed: Shivamar joined forces of Stambh in Gangavadi.
• Sanjan copper plates: Govind III defeated this federation in favour of Stambh.

61. Govind III’s reply to rebellion
• Sanjan copper plates: Govind III defeated this federation in favour of Stambh.
• Govind III initiated a sudden attack on Gangawadi.
• Stambh defeated in this sudden attack: could not amass any help from his supporters.
• Govind then defeated Ganga king Shivamara & put him in prison again.
• Also defeated younger brother of Shivamara.
• Campaign against Charuponer = king of Nolamvadi.
• King of Nolambvadi submitted.
• Attacked Pallavas: Defeated Dantivarman.
• British Museum copper plate: Govind III in Rameshwaram in 805 CE.

62. North Indian campaign
• Altekar: c.806-807CE
• Boldly planned & skilfully executed.
• Split his army for ease of operations.
• Altekar: Indra II told to march towards Malva-Gujrat- original kingdom of Pratiharas.
• Baroda copper plates: Indra II successfully rout out the lord of Gurjaras.
• Entrusted his Commanders to keep in check the kings of Malva, Kosal, Odisa, Vengi
• Himself led a mighty army to Ganga-Yamuna doab.

63. Govind III : Central Indian conquests
• Sanjan copper plates: While returning from north Indian campaign, Govind III
made following conquests-
• Malava
• Kosal
• Kalinga
• Vengi
• Dahal
• Oddra

64. Govinda III vs. Pratiharas
• Sanjan copper Plate + Radhanpur inscription + Pathari pillar
inscription: Rashtrakuta king Govind III defeated Nagabhatta II
• A.S.Alketar: This battle was fought in Bundelkhand.
• Nagabhatta II fled.
• Govind III left for south India.
• Nagabhatta II recovered and came back to reclaim lost areas.

65. Govind III & Kannauj
• King of Kannauj = Chakrayuddha
• Sanjan copper plates: Chakrayuddha surrendered himself to
Govind III.
• C.V.Vaidya: Govind III acquired Kannauj.

66. Govind III vs. Palas
• Pal king = Dharampal
• Sanjan copper plate: Dharampala submitted to Govind III.
• Why?
• R.D.Benerji: After suffering defeat at the hands of Nagabhatta II, it was wise
to not challenge Rashtrakutas.
• Political wisdom.
• Date of north Indian campaign of Govind III: before 802 CE

67. Rashtrakutas & Tripartite struggle
• Pratihara king Vatsaraj defeated Indrayuddha king of Kannauj
• Pratihara king Vatsaraja defeated Pala king Dharampal
• Rashtrakuta king Dhruva defeated Pratihara king Vatasaraja
• Rashtrakuta king Dhruva defeated Pala king Dharampala
• Pala king Dharampala established Chakrayuddha on Kannauj throne
• Pratihara king Vatsaraj forced to attend
• Pratihara king Nagabhatta II defeated Charayuddha + Pala king Dharampala
• Rashtrakuta king Govind III defeated Pratihara king Nagabhatta II
• Pala king Dharampal submitted to Rashtrakuta king Govind III.

68. Aftermath of north Indian campaign
• Altekar: Govind’s North Indian campaign = A type of Digvijay.
• No territory annexed.
• Must have exacted heavy tributes.
• Diffused the building tension and bottling competition in Madhyadesha.
• Pratiharas, Palas shown their places.
• But they knew that ultimately, Govind will go back to Manyakheta.
• After Govind’s retreat, they went back to their original power play.

69. Govind III vs. Chalukyas of Vengi
Stage I
• Radhanpur inscription + Sanjan copper plates: Govinda III attacked &
defeated Vengi king.
• Radhanpur inscription: Vengi king compelled to prepare a compound for
conqueror’s stables.
• Sanjan copper plates: Vengi king forced to clean floor of Govind’s camp.
• Vengi king = Vishnuvardhan IV = Nana of Govind III or Vijayaditya II?
• Altekar: Vengi king = Vijayaditya II.

70. Govind III vs. Chalukyas of Vengi
Stage II
• Sanjan copper plate: Govind III won and gave Vengi to his servants.
• Govind III established Bhimsalukki (Vengi prince) on Vengi throne as against
Vijayaditya II (elder brother of Bhim)
• But when Govind III was busy in north Indian campaign, Vijayaditya took back
Vengi from Bhim & terrified many Rashtrakuta territories.
• While retreating from Ganga-Yamuna doab, Govind III defeated Vijayaditya II in
803CE.

71. Govind III: Internal revolts
• Govind III busy in North Indian campaign.
• His enemies made a confederation consisting of Pallava, Pandya,
Chola,Kerala & western Ganga kings.
• Definitive victory against this group alliance of contemporary competitors.
• Western Ganga King killed.
• Occupied Kanchi from Pallavas.
• From Kanchi, went on to conquer Chola & Pandya kingdoms.

72. Govind III & Sri lanka
• Sri Lankan king scared of power of Govind
III.
• King of Sri Lanka terrified into submission.
• Gifted idols of himself and his ministers to
Govinda III.
• Govind III established one of these idols in
his capital before a Shiva temple as a victory
pillar.

73. Govind III: Assessment
• Ablest statesman amongst Rashtrakuta emperors.
• Enhanced the prestige of Rashtrakutas.
• Vani didori inscription: With Govinda III,
Rashtrakutas became invincible.
• Victorious march of his army embraced region
between Himalayas to Rameshvaram.
• Rashtrakuta inscriptions compare him with Parth.
• Titles : श्रीवल्लभ, पृथ्वीवल्लभ, प्रभूतवर्व, ववमलादित्य,
कीनतविारायण, जगतुंग, त्रिभवििवल, जिवल्लभ आदि

74. Sharva Amoghavarsha I (c.814-880CE)
• Appointed as Yuvaraja by his father Govind III.
• At the time of death of Govind III, Amoghavarsha was a minor.
• Troubled accession in 814 CE when he was only 6 years old.
• Karka II became his guardian.
• Karka II = S/O brother of Govind III (Indra II).
• Internal rebellion.
• Sanjan copper Plate: Influence of ‘Kali’ on Rashtrakutas at this time.
• Amoghavarsha deposed.
• Rebels successful: Anarchy and confusion amongst them.

75. Three serious rebellions
Revolt at time of
Accession
Revolt of Gujrat
Rashtrakutas
Revolt of Gangas
in later period

76. Revolt 1
Factions in royal family itself against this accession
Disloyal ministers
Feudatories declaring independence
Hereditary enemies of Rashtrakutas planning to invade
Vengi Chalukya king sheltering the rebels to oust boy emperor

77. Revolt 1 :Amoghavasrha vs. Chalukyas of Vengi :
• Revolt during 813-821 CE
• Idar copper plate: Vijayaditya II fought Rattas for 12 years.
• Guntur inscription: Vijayaditya II fought 102 battles with Rattas & Gangas.
• Naosari inscription: During the reign of Amoghavarsha, Rashtrakuta Laxmi drowned into
Chalukya sea. Victorious Chalukyas destroyed Stambhanagar.
• Navasari inscription: Later, Rashtrakutas expelled Chalukyas from their territories.
• Siroor copper plate of 866 CE: Vengi king worshipped Amoghavarsha.
• Sangali copper plate: Amoghvarsha offered a feast to Yamaraja in battle with Chalukyas
• Surat copper plates: Reinstation of Amoghavarsha on Rashtrakuta throne by efforts of Karka
II in 821 CE.
• Karda copper plates: Karka II was fire of destruction for Chalukyas.
• Amoghavarsha still only 12 years old.

78. Revolt 2: Gujrat Rashtrakutas
• After death of Karka II, Dhruv I became Gujrat
king.
• Served Amoghavarsha till c. 835CE
• Kavi copper plates: Omits Amoghavarsha from
Rashtrakuta genealogy.
• Altekar: It was accidental.
• Revolt by Dhruv I
• Rashtrakuta inscriptions: This struggle lasted
for 2 generations.
• S/O Dhruv = Aakaalvarsha also fought
Amoghavarsha.
• C.860CE: Treaty with Gujrat Rashtrakutas.

79. Revolt 3: Amoghavarsha vs Gangas
• 816 CE: Ganga king Shivamar, rebeled against Amoghavarsha’s accession.
• Local Rashtrakuta samant killed Ganga king.
• Nephwe of Shivamar Rajmalla, became Gangavadi king.
• Rajamalla too against Amoghavarsha.
• Altekar : Krishna II, S/O Amoghavarsha also joined Rajamalla.
• Rashtrakuta samant and commander Bankeya defeated Rajamalla.
• In turn for his loyalty, Bankeya made governer of Banavasi.
• S/O Rajamalla Eryang became Gangavadi king
• Eryang against Amoghavarsha.
• Treaty was sought.
• Daughter of Amoghavarsha married to Butuga, Ganga crown prince.

80. Other victories
• Neelgunda + Sirur inscription: Amoghavarsha worshipped by kings of
Anga, Vanga, Magadh.
• Pala inscription: Narayanpal defeated a Dravid king.
• Altekar + Majumdar: Defeated Dravid King = Amoghavarsha

81. Amoghavarsha: An evaluation
• Long reign: 64 years
• Not significant from military point of view.
• Lost Gangavadi and Malva.
• Mihirbhoja extending his power in Kathiawad: Amoghavarsha didn’t raise a
finger to arrest his progress.
• Engaged in suppressing frequent revolts.
• Titles: श्रीवल्लभ, पृथ्वीवल्लभ, महाराजािीराज, लक्ष्मीवल्लभ, भट्टारक, प्रभूतवर्व,
वमलादित्य, वीरिारायण, जगतुंग, त्रिभवििवल, आदि
• Leaning towards Jainism in later years of reign.
• A wise scholar: Patron of Kannada and Sanskrit
• Wrote text “कववराजमागव”
• Sanjan copper Plates: More liberal to men of letters than famous Vikramaditya.
• Renounced throne in his old age.

82. Krishna II (880-915CE)
• S/O Amoghavarsha.
• Matrimonial alliances-
• Married daughter of Kalchuri king Kokkal I
• Aditya I Chola married daughter of Krishna II.
• Married his son Jagatunga with 2 daughters of Kalchuri king Shankargana
Kalchuri.
• Titles: अकालवर्व, शुभतुंग, वल्लभराज, श्रीपृथ्वीवल्लभ, महाराजाधिराज, परमेश्वर

83. Krishna II vs. Vengi Chalukyas: Stage I
• Chalukya king = Vijayaditya III
• Dharamvaram inscription: Vijayaditya fought 2 battles with Krishna II.
• Krishna II defeated & forced to take shelter in Kalchuri kingdom.
• Commander of Vijayaditya chased Krishna II to Dahal.
• Commander of Vengi defeated the combined armies of Krishna II & Kalchuris.
• Burned the city of Kiranpur & Elichpur.
• Reacquired the areas lost to Rashtrakutas in earlier attack.
• Prestige of Rashtrakutas decreased.
• Vijayaditya III took the royal titles of Rashtrakutas
• He returned Rashtrakuta territory when Krishna II submitted to him.
• Kalchumburu inscription: Krishna II worshipped Vijayaditya.

84. Krishna II vs. Vengi Chalukyas: Stage II
• Vengi king = Bhim I
• Krishna II sided with rebels & attacked Vengi in time of
accession conflict
• Poet Pampa: Bhim I was imprisoned.
• Later freed: Ruling as Rashtrakuta feudatory.
• Vengi taken under control of Rashtrakutas.

85. • Vengi king = Bhim I
• Bhim I with support of some loyal samantas united to defeat
combined armies of Krishna II & his feudatories.
• Bhim I successful in getting back his rightful throne
• 892CE: Bhim ascended Vengi throne.
Krishna II vs. Vengi Chalukyas: Stage III

86. Krishna II vs. Vengi Chalukyas: Stage IV
• Krishna II (+ Lata + Karnat armies) attacked Vengi.
• Reached Nellore and Guntur.
• Won many forts in Vengi kingdom.
• Gave them to his feudatories.
• Bhim I + his son: Defeated Krishna II

87. Krishna II vs. Vengi Chalukyas: Stage V
• Krishna II attacked Peruvangurgram in Godavari district, A.P.
• Krishna II supported by Karnaat and Lat armies + Shankargana Kalchuri
• Rashtrakuta commander in chief of army killed.
• Masulipatam inscription: Bhim I + his son: defeated Krishna II.
• S/O Bhim I was killed in the battle
• Battle fought in Godavari district,A.P.
• Vengi lost from Rashtrakutas.

88. Krishna II vs. Gurjar Pratiaharas
• Gurjar Pratihara king = Mihirbhoja
• Mihirbhoja attacked northern territories of Rashtrakutas.
• Barton museum inscription: Bhoja forced Rashtrakuta Krishna II to retreat.
• Rashtrakuta Governor of Gujrat forced Mihirbhoja to retreat.
• Baghumra inscription of Dhruv II: Dhruv II defeated powerful armies of eager
Gurjar.
• Devali inscription of Krishna III: Krishna II scared off Gurjarnath?
• Begumra inscription: Krishna II defeated Gurjar Pratihara king Mihirbhoja.

89. Krishna II vs Pratiharas: Stage II
• Gurjar Pratihara king = Mahendrapal I
• Brigukuchchha under Pratiharas since Nagbhatta I’s time.
• Rashtrakuta inscription: Krishna II won over Khetakmandal.
• Khetakmandal = in Gujrat.
• Probably taken from Mahendrapala I.
• Al-Masudi: Gurjar Pratihara kings kept their armies ready and handy
against threat of Rashtrakuta attack.
• V.S.Pathak: Pratiharas could not save it due to long distance.

90. Conflict with Gujrat Rashtrakutas
• Provincial ruler of Gujrat = Krishnaraja I
• Sangali + Cambai copper plates of Krishna II: : Krishna II ousted
Krishnaraj & his successor from Gujrat.
• No inscription of Gujrat Rashtrakutas recovered after 888 CE.
• This branch of Rashtrakutas succumbed.

91. Krishna II vs Cholas
• Married his daughter with Chola king Aditya I
• Son of Rashtrakuta princess & Chola king = Kannardeva
• Chola king after Aditya I = Parantaka Chola = step brother of Kannardeva
• Attempt by Rashtrakuta Krishna II to place his grandson Kannardeva on Chola
throne.
• Rashtrakuta + Bana (samanata) armies reached Tanjore.
• Parantaka + his Ganga samanta: successfully diffused Rashtrakuta threat.
• Kanyakumari inscription: Parantak took the title of Veerachola after defeating
Krishnaraja.

92. Indra III (914-927CE)
• S/O Krishna II = Jantunga.
• Died during reign of his father.
• S/O Jaitunga & also Grandson of Krishna II = Indra III

93. Imperialistic campaigns
• “इंद्र िे मेरु को ध्वस्त ककया एवं गोविवि को जजतिे वाले उपेन्द्द्र को पराजजत
ककया”
• Keilhorn + V.Reu: Meru = Kannauj
• Bhandarkar: Upendra = Pratihara king Mahipala
• Altekar: Upendra = Parmara king Krishnaraj
• Govardhan = Nasik

94. Indra III vs. Pratiharas
• Khambhat inscription: Indra III’s army elephants incurred damage to Mahakaal temple’s
mandapa & then moved on to completely destroy Mahodayanagar (Kannauj).
• Mahipal fled Kannauj: For some time, lost control of his own kingdom.
• Pampbharata text: Indra III was helped by his Chalukya samant Arikeshirin.
• Khajuraho inscription of Dhanga Chandella: Mahipal I had to seek help of his own
Chandela samant Harshadeva to reacquire Kannauj.
• Indra III had to go back to address issues in his own kingdom.
• Chatsu inscription: Under the command of his overlord, Guhil samant of Mahipala I
defeated armies of southern enemy.
• R.C.Majumdar: Southern enemy = Rashtrakutas

95. Significance of North Indian campaign
Before Indra
III, Dhruva and
Govind III too
had defeated
Kannauj king.
But Indra was
first to get
control of
Kannauj
Indra
Dhruva
&
Govind
III

96. Indra III : Remarks
• Ambitious conqueror
• Able military commander
• Acquisition of Kannauj by Indra III was his
greatest achievement.
• Rashtrakuta power once again proved.
• Titles
1. राजमातंड : राजाओं में सूयव
2. रट्टक
ं िप : राष्ट्रक
ू टों में कामिेव क
े समाि
3. नित्यवर्व श्रीपृथ्वीवल्लभ
4. परमभट्टारक
5. महाराजाधिराज
6. परमेश्वर

97. Successors of Indra III
1. Amoghavarsha II: Ruled for a year & killed by Govind IV.
2. Govind IV: Led a life of luxury.
3. Amoghavarsha III: uncle of Govind IV
4. Krishna III: S/Amoghavarsha III

98. Krishna III (939-967CE)
• S/O Indra III
• Last influential king of Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• Helped in his conquests by his brother in law Butuga.
• Appointed Butuga as governor of Gangawadi.
• Sholapur inscription: Called Chakravartin samraata.
• Inscriptions: His empire extended from Himalayas in the north to Rameshwaram in the south.
• Patron of scholars.
• Titles: Aakaalvarsha, Prithvivallabha, samastbhuvanaashraya, Parmeshwar, Parambhattaraka,
Paramamaheshwar etc.

99. Krishna III & Gurjar Pratiharas
• Gurjar Pratihara king = Mahipala I
• Devali inscription of Krishna III Rashtrakuta + Karhat inscription : Upon hearing
that Krishna III has conquered all the forts in south India, Gurjar king lost the
hope of reacquiring Kalanjar and Chitradurga forts.
• Gurjar king = Mahipal I.
• Not clear if Kalanjar & Chitrakoot forts were under Rashtrakuta control.
• Karhaat inscription: Krishna III + his samant Gang king Maarsingh took areas
near Ahmedabad & Maihar in M.P.
• H.C.Raichaudhary: Krishna III raided eastern & southwestern areas of Pratihar
kingdom.

103. धििक
ू ट

104. Krishna III vs. Cholas
• Contemporary Chola King = Parantaka I
• Chola army under Butuga.
• 943CE:Butung won Kanchi and Tanjore from Cholas.
• Many inscriptions of Krishna III from Kanchi & Tanjore.
• 948-949CE: Chola strengthening their position to retaliate.

105. Battle of Takkolam (949 CE)
• Climax of the confrontation between the two imperials powers, the Cholas and the
Rashtrakutas, for mastery of south India.
• Rajaditya Chola + his son Rajaditya Vs. Rashtrakuta Krishna III + Butuga II ( western Ganga)
+ Banas + Vaidumbas
• Leiden Grant + Tiruvalangadu Plates: war resulted in death of Rajaditya on the battlefield.
• Initially Cholas had the upper hand. But with death of Rajaditya, Cholas lost the battle.
• Atakur inscription: Butuga II killed Rajaditya.
• Krishna III occupied Tondamandalam.
• Took title Tanjaiyankonda.
• Butuga appointed as ruler of some regions of Chola kingdom.
• Total collapse of Chola resistance after the battle of Takkolam.
• The Chola royals remained in a continued precarious political existence under the threat of
Rashtrakuta invasion.

106. Krishna III vs. Vengi Chalukyas
• Supported and helped Vengi prince Vadapa against prince Amma II
during civil war.
• Vengi inscriptions: Amma II took shelter in Kalinga
• 956CE: Established Vadap/ Daanarnava on Vengi throne.
• Made Vengi a Rashtrakuta protected province.
• Later Amma II regained his throne.
• Krishna III lost his hole and influence in Vengi.

107. South Indian campaign
• Devali inscription: Krishna III killed Kanchi kings Dantag and Bappuga,
defeated Pallava Antin.
• Somadeva: Krishna III called conqueror of Chera, Chola, Pandya,Simhal
• Recovered taxes from Mandalika kings
• Established a victory pillar in Rameshwaram.
• Constructed two temples there: वप्रयगंडमातंड एवं कृ ष्ट्णेश्वर
• Endowed donations.

108. North Indian Campaign
• c. 963CE: left for North Indian campaign.
• Helped by his Ganga feudatory Maarsimha II.
• Chandellas powerful in Bundelkhanda.
• Took Khajuraho and Chitradurga from Rashtrakutas.
• Krishna III attacked Bundelkhanda.
• Result?
• Then terrified Parmar king Siyaka II & defeated him.
• Acquired Ujjaini from him.
• Then defeated kalchuri king Sahastraarjuna.

109. Krishna III: Evaluation

110. Decline of
Rashtrakutas
1. Continous wars : Draining economy.
2. Extensive kingdom : Practical
administrative difficulties.
3. Rise of powerful contemporaries.
4. Battles with Parmaras of Malwa.
5. Influential-powerful samantas.
6. Weak incapable successors.

111. Rashtakuta Sucession after Krishna III
• All sons of Krishna III died in his lifetime only
• Throne passed to his younger brother Khottiga (967-972CE)
• Khottiga succeded by Karka II (972- 991CE).
• No info about Rashtrakutas after this.

112. Thank You