Dynasty The Rashtrakutas were originally known to be the feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Vatapi. Though Rashtrakutas were early rulers, the greatest ruler of the dynasty was Dandidurga. Ruling from a smaller part of Berar, Dandidurga built his career of territorial conquest after the death of Vikramaditya II ( – CE), the Chalukya ruler. He captured Gurjara Kingdom of Nandipuri, Malwa and eastern Madhya Pradesh and the whole of Berar.
By CE, he had become the master of central and southern Gujarat and the whole of Madhya Pradesh and Berar. After consolidating his position, and after defeating Kirthivarman II ( – CE), the last Chalukya ruler of Vatapi, Dandidurga assumed the titles of Maharajadhiraja, Parameshwara and Paramabhattaraha. He developed relationships with the Pallava ruler Nandivarman II by giving his daughter in marriage to the Pallava king. After Dandidurga’s death in CE, his uncle (father’s brother) Krishna I ascended the throne.
Krishna I and His Successors Krishna I ( – CE) defeated the Gangas of Mysore. His eldest son Govinda II succeeded him in CE. He defeated the Eastern Chalukyas. He left the affairs of country to his brother Dhruva who eventually crowned himself as the ruler.
During the reign of Dhruva ( – CE), the Rashtrakuta power reached its zenith. After humbling the western Ganga king, Dhruva defeated Dantivarman, the Pallava king. The ruler of Vengi (modern Andhra) also had to accept his suzerainty. After establishing his hegemony in the south, Dhruva turned his attention towards the regions around Kanauj.
XI History - Lesson - - Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms work, and Kavirajamarga , a Kannada work. Jinasena wrote the Adipurana of the Jains. Krishna II’s spiritual guide, Gunabhadra, wrote the Mahapurana of the Jains. The three gems of ancient Kannada literature – Kavichakravarthi Ponna, Adikavi Pampa and Kavichakravarti Ranna – were patronised by Rashtrkuta king Krishna III, as well as by Tailapa and Satyashraya of Western Chalukyas.
Architecture The Rashtrakutas made splendid contributions to Indian art. The rock- cut shrines at Ellora and Elephanta located in present-day Maharashtra belong to their period. The Ellora