Rashtrakuta Dynasty of the Deccan
Medieval History › Early Medieval Period · Topic 1.8
The Rashtrakutas ruled the Deccan from Manyakheta (Malkhed) for almost two hundred years, from the middle of the eighth century to 972. Dantidurga founded the empire, Govinda III and Amoghavarsha were its greatest rulers, and Krishna I built the Kailasa temple at Ellora. They also bridged north and south India in trade and culture.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Early Medieval Period
At a Glance
- Founder Dantidurga
- Capital Manyakheta (Malkhed), near modern Sholapur
- Greatest kings Govinda III and Amoghavarsha
- End Malkhed sacked and burnt in 972
- Monument Kailasa temple at Ellora, built by Krishna I
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Early Medieval Period
Where Does It Fit?
This is the eighth topic of the category on the early medieval period. The previous topic covered the Chalukyas, whom the Rashtrakutas overthrew in the Badami line, and this topic finishes the three great empires of the age. The next topic covers the Cholas and their political history. Previous topic: Pulakeshin II (609 to 642) Kalyani branch 973 to…">Chalukya Dynasty (Badami and Kalyani Branches).
Who Founded the Rashtrakuta Empire?
In short: the Rashtrakuta dynasty of the Deccan was founded by Dantidurga, ruled from Manyakheta, and dominated the Deccan for almost two centuries until 972.
Dantidurga set up the capital at Manyakheta or Malkhed, near modern Sholapur. The Rashtrakutas soon dominated northern Maharashtra. Dantidurga overthrew the last Badami Chalukya king in 753. The dynasty fought the Pratiharas for the overlordship of Gujarat and Malwa and later Kanauj. It also fought constantly with the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, and in the south with the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Pandyas of Madurai.
Which Rashtrakuta Kings Were the Greatest?
| Ruler | Reign | Main fact |
|---|---|---|
| Dantidurga | Mid-eighth century | Founder; capital at Manyakheta |
| Krishna I | Eighth century | Built the rock-cut Shiva temple at Ellora |
| Dhruva | Late eighth century | Defeated a Pratihara ruler; joined the struggle for Kanauj |
| Govinda III | 793 to 814 | Defeated Nagabhatta of Kanauj; annexed Malwa; turned to the south |
| Amoghavarsha | 814 to 878 | Reigned 64 years; wrote the first Kannada work on poetics; built Manyakheta |
| Indra III | 915 to 927 | Sacked Kanauj in 915; re-established the empire |
| Krishna III | 934 to 963 | Defeated the Chola king Parantaka I in 949; raised a pillar of victory at Rameshwaram |
Govinda III, according to an inscription, terrified the Kerala, Pandya and Chola kings and took the king of Lanka and his minister prisoner. The Rashtrakutas did not extend their empire to the Ganga valley, but their raids brought rich plunder and fame.
How Did the Rashtrakuta Empire End?
There were many rebellions in the far-flung empire under Amoghavarsha, and they began again after his death. Indra III restored the empire after sacking Kanauj in 915. Al-Masudi wrote that the Rashtrakuta king, called Balhara, was the greatest king of India, and most Indian rulers accepted his suzerainty and respected his envoys. Krishna III, the last of the brilliant line, fought the Paramaras and eastern Chalukyas and defeated the Chola Parantaka I in 949, annexing the northern part of the Chola empire. After his death his opponents united against his successor. Malkhed was sacked and burnt in 972, which ended the empire.
How Was the Rashtrakuta Empire Governed?
The directly governed areas were divided into rashtras (provinces), visayas and bhuktis. The head of a rashtra, the rashtrapati, did the work done by the uparika in the Pala and Pratihara empires. A visaya was like a modern district, and a bhukti was a smaller unit below it. Officials were paid by rent-free land grants, which blurred the line between officers and hereditary chiefs. Hereditary revenue officers called nad gavundas or desa gramakutas rose in the Deccan and did the work of the later deshmukhs and deshpandes. In Karnataka, village committees managed schools, tanks, temples and roads. The Rashtrakutas also kept many forts, each garrisoned by special troops under its own commander.
Why Are the Rashtrakutas Remembered for Religion and Trade?
The Rashtrakuta rulers were tolerant and patronised Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism. The famous rock-cut Shiva temple at Ellora was built by Krishna I in the ninth century, and Amoghavarsha is said to have been a Jain who also patronised other faiths. Muslim traders were allowed to settle and preach Islam. They had their own headman and large mosques in many coastal towns. This tolerant policy promoted foreign trade, which enriched the dynasty. Arab writers noted that women of the Rashtrakuta court did not veil their faces.
Their courts supported Sanskrit scholars as well as poets writing in Prakrit and Apabhramsha. The Apabhramsha poet Svayambhu and his son probably lived at the Rashtrakuta court. Amoghavarsha’s Kannada poetics shows the rise of regional languages.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Bridge of cultures The empire linked north and south India in trade and culture
- Tolerance Welcomed Muslim traders and patronised many faiths
- Ellora One of the best known monuments of the age
What Came Next?
The next topic describes the Chola empire, whose rise began in the ninth century and who defeated the Pallavas. Next topic: Chola Rulers and Political History (Rajaraja I, Rajendra I).
Key People and Terms
- Dantidurga Founder of the dynasty
- Govinda III Great warrior king, 793 to 814
- Amoghavarsha Ruled 64 years; Kannada poetics
- Indra III Sacked Kanauj in 915
- Krishna III Defeated Parantaka I in 949
- Manyakheta Capital at Malkhed
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Founder Dantidurga; capital Manyakheta (Malkhed).
- Krishna I built the rock-cut temple at Ellora.
- Amoghavarsha ruled 64 years.
- Malkhed sacked in 972.
- Al-Masudi called the king Balhara.
Do Not Confuse With
- Rashtrakuta Kailasa and Pallava Kailasanatha Ellora rock-cut temple versus Kanchipuram structural temple
- Govinda III and Amoghavarsha Warrior king versus his long-reigning scholarly successor
- Indra III and Krishna III Sacker of Kanauj versus the Chola-defeating last great king
Memory Hook
Dantidurga founds, Krishna carves Ellora, Govinda conquers, Amoghavarsha writes, Malkhed burns.
Mains Angle
Questions on the Rashtrakutas cover tolerance, administration or the northern wars. These points add depth.
- Politics Role in the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas, Rashtrakutas Period Mid-eighth to the tenth century…">tripartite struggle
- Society Religious tolerance and trade links
- Administration Provinces, districts and hereditary revenue officers
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Evaluate the role of the Rashtrakutas in linking north and south India between the eighth and tenth centuries.”
How to Answer
- Rise Dantidurga and the Deccan base.
- North Raids on Kanauj and plunder.
- South Wars with the Pallavas, Pandyas and Cholas.
- Culture Ellora, Kannada and trade.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty?
Dantidurga founded the Rashtrakuta kingdom and set up the capital at Manyakheta or Malkhed near modern Sholapur. He overthrew the last Badami Chalukya king in 753 and the dynasty went on to dominate northern Maharashtra and the Deccan for almost two centuries.
Who built the Kailasa temple at Ellora?
The rock-cut Shiva temple at Ellora was built by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I in the ninth century, according to the standard account. It stands among the finest rock-cut monuments of India and reflects the Rashtrakuta patronage of Shaivism.
What did Amoghavarsha achieve?
Amoghavarsha ruled for 64 years from 814 to 878 and preferred religion and literature to war. He wrote the first Kannada book on poetics, built the capital Manyakheta, and faced rebellions that began again after his death.
How did the Rashtrakuta empire end?
After Krishna III died in 963, all his opponents united against his successor. The Rashtrakuta capital Malkhed was sacked and burnt in 972, which ended an empire that had lasted almost two hundred years in the Deccan.
Were the Rashtrakutas tolerant rulers?
Yes. The Rashtrakutas patronised Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism and allowed Muslim traders to settle and preach Islam. Muslims had their own headman and large mosques in coastal towns, and this tolerance promoted foreign trade that enriched the empire.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Rashtrakuta capital was Manyakheta (Malkhed).
It was near modern Sholapur.
2 The Kailasa temple at Ellora was built by Krishna I.
It dates from the ninth century.
3 The Rashtrakuta king Indra III sacked Kanauj in 915.
He restored the empire after Amoghavarsha's reign.
4 Amoghavarsha wrote the first Telugu book on poetics.
He wrote the first Kannada work on poetics.
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