Rashtrakutas

From the 8th century CE until the 10th century CE, the Rashtrakuta Dynasty governed areas of southern India. At its height, their kingdom encompassed the entirety of the contemporary state of Karnataka as well as portions of the current Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, among others. As evidenced by the writings of many Islamic travellers and scholars, particularly Al-Masudi and Ibn Khordadbih (10th century CE), who wrote that all other kings of India at the time prayed to the Rashtrakutas as a higher power and prostrated themselves in reverence before them, such was their influence and impression, it is possible to estimate their significance.

Ancient Indian Kingdom of Peninsular India:  Rashtrakutas

The Rashtrakutas 

History:

• As a group, they trace their origins back to the Badami Chalukyas, whose monarch Krishna-I is famed for creating the spectacular rock cut Kailasa temple at Ellora

• The founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was Dantidurga, and they were initially district officers under the Badami Chalukyas

• Buildings in the Dravidian architecture were intricately carved with exquisite sculptures, and the interiors were decorated with murals

• When it comes to patronising men of letters, their ruler Amoghvarsha is comparable to Vikramaditya in terms of his generosity

• The first Kanadda poems he composed were Kaviraj marg and Prashnottar Mallika, both of which are still in existence

• He established the city of Manyakheta as their administrative centre

• Following the defeat of the Cholas, the ruler of Rameshwaram, Krishna III, erected a triumph pillar and a shrine in their honour

• The Rashtrakutas are credited with creating the Elephant Cave Shrine in the Elephant Cave region

• In honour of Shiva, who is represented as Mahesh (also known as Trimurti) in one of India’s most spectacular art masterpieces, the temple was dedicated to him. Shiva’s three faces represent the three aspects of his personality: Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer

Administration: 

• Mandalas or Rashtras were kingdoms (provinces)

• A Rashtrapathi ruled an emperor who had been a Rashtrapathi. His empire had 16 Rashtras

• A Vishaya (district) sat under a Rashtra

• Rashtra’s trusted ministers sometimes governed. For example, Bankesha, an Amoghavarsha I commander, headed Banavasi-12000, Belvola-300, Puligere-300, Kunduru-500, and Kundarge-70

• The Nadugowda or Nadugavunda administered the Nadu below the Vishaya; sometimes two such officials administered, one by inheritance and the other by central appointment. The lowest division was a Gramapathi or Prabhu Gavunda’s Grama

• In addition to a strong infantry, the Rashtrakuta army had a significant number of riders, and many elephants

• Cantonment (Kataka Sthirabhuta) in the regal capital of Manyakheta was constantly poised for battle

• The feudatory monarchs kept big armies because they were expected to help defend the empire in times of conflict. They might all be transferred if the situation demanded it, including the chiefs and all the officials

• In silver and gold, the Rashtrakutas created coins such as Suvarna, Drammas, Kalanju, Gadyanaka, Kasu, Manjati, Akkam, and Manjati, which weighed 65, 48, and 15 grains, respectively

Economy:

• Agriculture, manufacturing, and money earned from conquests supported the Rashtrakuta economy 

• Cotton was the main crop in southern Gujarat, Khandesh and Berar

• Textile hubs included Minnagar, Gujarat, Ujjain, Paithan, and Tagara. Paithan and Warangal made Muslin cloth; Bharoch sold it

• These towns produced White calicos and exported them to Persia, Poland, Arabia and Cairo

• The feudatory Silharas produced enormous quantities of betel leaves, coconut, and rice, whereas the feudatory Gangas produced sandal, lumber, teak, and ebony

• Thana and Saimur traded incense and perfume

• The Deccan soil was rich in minerals, although being less fertile

• Economically, the copper mines at Cuddapah and Bellary were key sources of money and employment

• Manyakheta and Devagiri were prominent diamond and jewellery trading locations

• Gujarat and northern Maharashtra have a thriving leather and tanning sector

• Mysore’s enormous elephant populations were vital to the ivory trade

Conclusion

The Rashtrakutas’ decline began with Khottiga Amoghavarsha’s defeat and death by a Paramara dynasty monarch in 972 CE, with the capital Manyakheta sacked and destroyed. Indra IV, the final emperor of the country, committed himself in 982 CE by starving to death (Salakhana). A dynasty ended, but its impact lingered. Their realm was captured by the Cholas and other dynasties, but their political structure and other cultural norms were adopted by following empires. Culturally, the Pattadakal or Ellora temples and numerous mediaeval literary works offer witness to the Rashtrakutas’ support.