Rastrakuta Empire
In the mid of the 8th century, Dantidurga , who was one of the chieftain of ancient Rastrakuta family fought his way to the front and overthrew Kirtivarman II, thus bringing an end to the main branch of Chalukyas. This was the beginning of the Rastrakuta Empire in Deccan.
Dantidurga
Dantidurga’s reign is from 735 AD to 756 AD. He is also known as Dantivarman or Dantidurga II. Just after occupying Vatapi, he also carried out several conquests but became unpopular very soon and was deposed by his uncle Krishna I. Dantidurga made Gulbarga his capital and defeated the Karnatbala of the Badami Chalukya (Kirtivarman II). He also defeated the kings of Lata (Gujarat), Malwa, Kalinga, Nagas and assumed the title of Rajadhiraja.
Krishna I
Krishna I is known for completing the establishment of Rastrakuta supremacy over the dominions of Chalukyas. Last Badami Chalukya Kirtivarman II though defeated by Dantidurga, but remained in power till 757 AD when he was destroyed by Krishna I. This is mentioned in the copper plate grant of Govinda III. Krishna I is best known for execution of the most marvelous architectural work in India i.e. Kailas Temple at Ellora. Kailas Temple is the most extensive and most opulent example of rock cut architecture in India.
Govinda II
Krishna I was succeeded by Govinda II, his eldest son. He became unpopular soon and was excessively indulged in the sensual pleasures. He left the administration to his younger brother Dhruva (Nirupama).
Dhruva
Dhruva was an able prince who continued the wars with the neighbors and expanded the frontiers of Rastrakuta empire.
This was the reign of Dhruva, when Rastrakuta emerged as one of the great powers in India.
Govinda III
Dhruva’s son Govinda III was also one of the most remarkable princes of this dynasty. The capital of rastrakuta up till now was Nasik and it was shifted to Manyakheta (Malkhed) by Govinda III. Govinda III’s conquests were up to Cape Camorin in south, Kannauj in North and Banaras in South. His rein was from 794 to 814 AD.
Amoghavarsha
Govinda III was succeeded by his son Amoghavarsha or Amoghavarsha I or Nrupathunga.
The reign of Amoghavarsha is from 800 to 878 AD (though some scholars says that his reign was 62 years), one of the longest reigns. He was the greatest ruler of the Rastrakuta Empire. He indulged in constant wars with the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and remained successful. Amoghavarsha was a patron of the Jains and liberally patronized the Digambara sect of Jains.
His contribution led to rapid progress made by the Digambara Jain sect in the 9th and 10 th century under Jinasena and Gunabhadra. (As evident from Mahapurana). Both of these Digambar Jain monks enjoyed favor of more than one monarchs and much responsible to eclipse Buddhism.
The result was that Buddhism finally disappeared from Deccan in the early 12th century.
Amoghavarsha deeply loved his subjects and many historians have compared him with Asoka.
Successors of Amoghavarsha
Amoghavarsha was succeeded by Krishna II. Though his period is 878 AD to 914 AD but it seems that he started ruling during his father’s reign. He was followed by Indra II, who was succeeded by Amoghavarsha II. Amoghavarsha II was assassinated by his brother Govinda IV, within one year of his rule. Govinda IV reigned till 935 AD. The feudatories of Govinda IV revolted and deposed him. He was succeeded by Amoghavarsha III (also known as Baddiga).
These all rulers were less important and finally, the dynasty came to an end as the last ruler Kakka II (Karaka) was killed by Taila II or Tailpa II the scion of old Chalukya stock in 973 AD.
Thus Taila II founded the dynasty of Chalukyas of Kalyani which lasted for 2 centuries.
Legacy of Rashtrakutas
The reign of Rastrakutas of Manyakheta was from 753 AD to 982 AD. The rastrakutas were great patrons of architecture. The Rastrakuta architecture was a splendid form of Rock cut architecture. Most of the shrines were Buddhist caves such as Ellora and Elephanta at Maharastra.
Kailasanatha temple at Ellora
Ellora caves, located 30 km northwest of Aurangabad, make up one of the major cave temple groups in India, belonging to the Rastrakuta period. In Ellora there are Buddhist, Hindu as well as Jain cave temples, spread over a stretch of 2 km. These are not just cave temples but also temples sculpted out of rock and are much richer in style and detail. Caves 1-12 are Buddhist, 13-29 are Hindu and 30-34 are Jain, excavated in that order. Most extensive and sumptuous of them all is the Kailasanatha temple. It was carved out of single solid granite about 100 feet high and the temple measures 150′ X 100′. There are four main parts of the temple, and those are the main shrine, the entrance gateway to the west, a Nandi pavilion and cloister all round the courtyard.The architecture style used in Kailasanatha temple was Dravida.
