This is Part 2 of a three part series focused on the Rashtrakuta empire. Part 1 of the series, focusing on the rise of the Rashtrakutas, can be read here. Part 3 will focus on the achievements in the field of art and architecture and reading/reference materials.
To recap, we have seen how the Rashtrakutas who were vassals to the Chalukyas were instrumental in defeating the forces of the Umayyad Caliphate, and having tasted success overturned the Chalukyas and slowly extended their influence North of the Narmada up to Kannauj in the Ganga-Yamuna doab. In Part 2, we will see how the empire flourished and what led to its demise.
Expansion
Krishna’s son Govinda II turned out to be an ineffective ruler and power transferred to his younger – and more capable – brother Dhruva Dharavarsha. Dhruva built on the empire his father had set up, raiding Kannauj and establishing supremacy over the Pallava king Nandivarman who was forced to pay taxes to the Rashtrakuta king.
The emperor’s horses drank from the icy streams of the Himalayas while his elephants tasted the sacred waters of the Ganges
Sanjan Copper Plate of Amoghavarsha – 1, referring to his father Govinda III
Golden Period – age of ‘Imperial Karnataka’
Succeeding Dhruva was his third son Govinda III. This was a period of brilliant military victories and the Rashtrakuta empire reached the zenith of its power and territory. Govinda continued the battles against the Rashtrakutas’ enemy to the north – the Gurjara Pratiharas and the Palas – with the aim to control the Gangetic plains. Unlike his predecessors, he conquered Kannauj – it is said ‘the emperor’s horses drank from the icy streams of the Himalayas while his elephants tasted the sacred waters of the Ganges’. Gujarat, Vengi and the Pallavas fell, and the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas paid him tribute. The king of Ceylon and his minister sent him statues indicating their submission to him. From the tip of the Indian Ocean to Kannauj in the north, and from Benares to Bharuch (in Gujarat), the Rashtrakuta flag flew in triumph.
Neighboring Kingdoms during reign of Govinda III
The kingdoms around Govinda III’s empire were:
- Pallavas – vassals to Rashtrakuta
- Pandyas, Cheras, Cholas – paying tribute to Rashtrakuta
- Eastern Chalukyas (Chalukyas of Vengi) – defeated and paying tribute
- Palas of Bengal – defeated and paying tribute
- Gurjara Pratiharas – defeated and paying tribute
- Ganga dynasty – paying tribute
- Ceylon – submission to the Rashtrakuta without battle
Stability
By the end of Govinda III’s reign, the Rashtrakutas were the overlords of the Deccan, the south, Gujarat and the Gangetic plain. Kannada and Sanskrit were the languages of the state – Kannada for day to day use and Sanskrit for administrative purposes; Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism were promoted.
Ashoka of the South
Govinda’s son, Amoghavarsha I, focussed more on keeping friendly relationships with his neighbors than being at war with them. His coming to power was turbulent – although he ascended to the throne in 815 AD at the age of 14, it took him 5 years to overcome internal and external strife to finally have his say as an emperor. Amoghavarsha ruled from Malked (in current day Gulbarga district, Karnataka) and his reign of 64-odd years is considered as one of the longest precisely dated record of a monarchical reign.
He built marital ties with the Pallavas, and was friendly with the Gangas and the Eastern Chalukyas. He was a patron of art and architecture and an accomplished scholar in Kannada and Sanskrit. His two most famous works were ‘Kavirajamarga’ in Kannada and ‘Prashnottara Ratnamalike’ in Sanskrit.
Amoghavarsha was a devout follower of Jain monk Jinasena. He is believed to have sponsored the construction of the Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal.
Holding Ground
After Amoghavarsha’s death, his successors faced multiple military trials. His immediate successor Krishna II faced significant fight-back from the Chalukyas of Vengi, in particular from the Vengi king Bhima I. The Rashtrakuta line ruling out of Gujarat – the ‘Lata’ line – was annexed and brought under the direct control of the king from Malkhed. Down south, Krishna lost to the Chola king Parantaka at Vallala – it would take another 30-odd years before the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III avenged this defeat.
Krishna II’s successor Indra III resumed fighting in the Ganga-Yamuna doab and annexed Kannauj, which at that time had slipped into the hands of the Gurjara Pratihara kings. They destroyed Kannauj and broke the spine of the Gurjara Pratihara empire.
A time comes, no matter what, in the lifetime of every empire, when it is brought to its knees. Of this, we can be sure.
Neighboring Kingdoms
During the early 10th century CE with Indra III as the ruler:
- Pallavas – vassals to Rashtrakuta
- Pandyas – fighting with Pallavas
- Cholas – gaining in strength, defeated Indra III
- Eastern Chalukyas (Chalukyas of Vengi) – Rashtrakutas trying to install their king, without success. Vengi still inimical to the interests of the Rashtrakutas.
- Palas of Bengal – sidelined, relegated to Bengal
- Gurjara Pratiharas – defeated, their capital Kannauj destroyed
- Ganga dynasty – paying tribute
Last man standing
A time comes, no matter what, in the lifetime of every empire, when it is brought to its knees. Of this, we can be sure. The Rashtrakutas were to be no exception to the universal law. But before the empire fell, there was one last king who made his mark.
Narmada to Kaveri
When Krishna III came to power, the Rashtrakuta empire’s writ ended west of the Narmada. Kannauj was already lost and the previous kings hadn’t really made much of a mark. Krishna III, also known as Kannara, focused on rebuilding the Rashtrakuta empire and controlled the entire land between the Narmada and Kaveri.
In the south, Kanchi and Tanjore fell as he defeated the Pallavas and Cholas. Krishna annexed only the Tondaimandalam region and avenged the defeat of Krishna II at Vallala. In the north and the east, there were the usual expeditions against the Gurjara Pratihara and Eastern Chalukyas – all with mixed success. He reached Ujjain and occupied the city for a while.
History never stops…
An interesting character during this period was Krishna III’s feudatory Tailapa II. Tailapa was given a grant of land in present day Bijapur district, in the heart of the Rashtrakuta kingdom. This would eventually prove to be the undoing of the Rashtrakutas.
Last Nail
The last straw was when Malkhed, the Rashtrakuta capital, was plundered by Paramara king Siyaka Harsha, who in turn used to be a vassal to the Rashtrakutas in Gujarat. Tailapa II, who was waiting in the wings, raised the banner of revolt and quickly overturned what was left of the Rashtrakuta kingdom. Sensing the mood, all other vassals/feudatories declared independence and the once mighty Rashtrakuta empire came to an end.
Tailapa started the Western Chalukya dynasty (also called the Kalyani Chalukya, named after Basavakalyan where they were based from).
History never stops – and as the fulcrum of power shifted, the Cholas, the Eastern Chalukyas and Western Chalukyas became the predominant powers – and arch enemies – for the next few centuries.
Gopa, very good work – learning something compeltely not in text books as a story
Thank you Sanjay, glad this was interesting.