Rashtrakuta Empire

Quick Facts: Who was Rashtrakuta Empire?

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Rashtrakuta Empire

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Early medieval Indian empire (6th–10th centuries) ruling vast parts of the subcontinent.

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Origins & Early Life

The Rashtrakuta Empire (Kannada: [raːʂʈrɐkuːʈɐ]) was an early medieval Indian empire ruling large parts of the Indian subcontinent between the 6th and 10th centuries. At their peak the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta ruled a vast empire stretching from the Ganges River and Yamuna River doab in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, a fruitful time of political expansion, architectural achievements and famous literary contributions. The earliest known Rashtrakuta inscription is a 7th-century copper plate grant detailing their rule from Manapur, a city in Central or West India. Other ruling Rashtrakuta clans from the same period mentioned in inscriptions were the kings of Achalapur and the rulers of Kannauj. The Achalpur clan was a feudatory of the Badami Chalukyas, and during the rule of Dantidurga, it overthrew Chalukya Kirtivarman II and went on to build an empire with the Kalaburagi region in modern Karnataka as its base.

Career & Major Achievements

This clan came to be known as the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta, rising to power in South India in 753 AD. At the same time the Pala dynasty of Bengal and the Prathihara dynasty of Gurjaratra were gaining force in eastern and northwestern India respectively. This period, between the 8th and the 10th centuries, saw a tripartite struggle for the resources of the rich Gangetic Plains, with each of these empires annexing the seat of power at Kannauj for short periods of time. An Arabic text, Silsilat al-Tawarikh (851), called the Rashtrakutas one of the four principal empires of the world. Interpretations of some historians suggest that the only later kings of the dynasty were influenced by Jainism.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, other historians contend their Jain affiliation was not a later development and that historical evidence shows they were devout followers of the Jain Dharma, and that successive kings continued their family's legacy of Jain patronage. During their rule, Jain monks, Jain mathematicians and Jain scholars contributed important works in Kannada and Sanskrit. Amoghavarsha I, the most famous king of this dynasty wrote Kavirajamarga, a landmark literary work in the Kannada language. Architecture reached a milestone in the Dravidian style, the finest example of which is seen in the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora in modern Maharashtra. Other important contributions are the Kashi-Vishwanatha temple and the Jain~Narayana temple at Pattadakal in modern Karnataka, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Notable Quotes by Rashtrakuta Empire

“The drums of the Deccan were heard from the Himalayan caves to the shores of the Malabar Coast.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Rashtrakuta Empire

True or False: “The Rashtrakutas only ruled over regions in South India, never extending their power north of the Ganges River.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): At their peak, the empire stretched from the Ganges River and Yamuna River doab in the north to Kanyakumari in the south.

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