Rashtrakuta Dynasty

The Rashtrakutas were the feudatories of the Chalukyas of Badami or Vatapi, also known as early Chalukyas. Their kingdom was founded by Dantidurga or Dantivarman who overthrew the Chalukya dynasty about 753. After him, his uncle Krishna I became the next ruler whose accession to the Rashtrakuta throne proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the Chalukyas of the Badami. Kailasnatha Temple, the crowning achievement of Ellora, was excavated on the instructions of Krishna I.

Krishna I was succeeded by his eldest son Govinda II who, in turn, was dethroned by his younger brother Dhruva Dharavarsha who ruled from c. 779 to 793-94. He decisively intervened in the  tripartite struggle for the supremacy of Kannauj in north India and defeated both the Pala king Dharampal and Pratihara ruler Vatsaraja. After these victories he added the emblem of Ganga and Yamuna to his imperial insignia. 

Next Rashtrakuta ruler was Dhruva’s illustrious son Govinda III (A.D. 793-814), who fought a successful battle against the Pala ruler Dharampala and his protégé Chakrayudha. 

The greatest Rashtrakuta ruler, Amoghavarsha I or Sarva (814-878) succeeded to the throne after his father Govinda III’s death. Krishna III was the last greatest ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. He ascended the throne in 939 and ruled till 967. In 949 he defeated the Chola king Parantaka I in a battle of Takkolam. After this, Krishna III adopted the title of ‘Conqueror of Kacci (Kanchi) and Tanjai (Tanjore)’.

Krishna III was succeeded by his half-brother Khottiga in 967. During latter's rule the Rashtrakuta capital Manyakheta was sacked by Harsha Siyaka of the Paramara dynasty in 972-73. Khottiga was followed by his nephew Karka II who ascended the throne in 973. Karka II was overthrown and killed within months by the Chalukya Taila II who founded Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani. 

Rashtrakutas were the earliest Indian ruling dynasty to have allowed the Muslim traders to settle and permitted Islam to be preached in their dominions. 

During the early part of the dynasty Rashtrakutas were supporters of Hinduism. Later they became zealous patrons of Jainism.