Component-I (A) – Personal details: 1 Component-I (B) – Description of module: Subject Name Indian Culture Paper Name Outlines of Indian History Module Name/Title Major dynasties of south India (753 – 1300 ce) Module Id I C/ OIH/ 17 Pre requisites Knowledge in the political history of South India Objectives To study the history of major dynasties of South India and their contribution to Indian Culture Keywords Rashtrakutas / Chalukyas of Kalyani / Yadavas/ Kakatiya / Hoysala/ Pandya E-text (Quadrant-I) 1. Introduction The Political History of Deccan between 753 – 1300 CE was marked by the ascendency of the Rashtrakutas of Manyaketa, emergence of Chola power, the Chalukyas of Kalyani and their subordinates. One of the kingdoms that rose to power on the ruins of the Chaluykas of Badami was the Rashtrakutas. Later, the country south of Tungabhadra was united as one state for nearly two centuries under Cholas of Tanjore and Chalukyas of Kalyani. Towards the close of the twelfth century, the two major powers-the Cholas and Chalukyas of Kalyani had became thoroughly exhausted by their conflicts and were on their decline. Their subordinate powers were started to show their new vigor and were ready to take advantage of the weakening of their suzerains and proclaimed independence. The Yadavas of Devagiri, the Kakatiyas of Warangal, the Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra and the Pandyas of Madurai constitute important political forces during 12th and 13th Centuries. 2. Topic I : Rashtrakutas (753 to 973 CE) Rashtrakutas were the important dynasty ruling over large parts of the Indian Subcontinent for 220 years from 753 to 973 CE with their capital from Manyakheta (Malkhed in Gulbarga district). Rashtrakutas were of Kannada origin and Kannada language was the mother tongue .Dantidurga was the founder of the Rashtrakuta kingdom. His predecessors, Abhimanyu, Nannaraja, Karka I and Indra II were the feudatories of the Chalukyas. Indra II married a Chalukyan princess of Gujarat branch (Lata) and Dantidurga was born to them ,who ruled from 735 to 756 CE. He defeated the Gurjaras and captured Malwa from them. During 752-753 he defeated the last Chalukyan ruler Kirtivarman II and established the Rashtrakuta rule. Thus, the Rashtrakutas became a paramount power in Deccan. He had the titles like ‘Prithvivallabha ‘, ‘Maharajadhiraja ‘, ‘Rajaparameswara‘ etc. Dantidurga died childless and was succeeded by his uncle, Krishna I (756-774 CE). He completed the overthrowing of the Chalukya power and expanded his new kingdom in all directions. He defeated the Gangas and the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and compelled them to acknowledge his Suzerainty. The magnificent rock-cut monolithic Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was built during his reign. He was succeeded by Govinda II in 774 CE. He was an easy going monarch, his ambitious brother Dhruva seized the throne for himself in 780 CE. The next important king of the dynasty was Govinda III (793-814 CE). He achieved victories over Vengi Chalukyas, Pallavas, North Indian kingdoms Gurjaras and Palas. Govinda III was succeeded by his young son Amoghavarsha (814 – 880 CE) also called Nrupatunga. He was the greatest king among the Rashtrakutas. He had to wage several wars including the Vengi Chalukyas,Gangas, etc and protected his kingdom without any 2 damage from the various menaces. He gave his daughters in marriage to the Vengi Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Gangas .Though he was a great warrior, he loved peace and avoided wars to the best of his ability .Sulaiman, the Arab traveler, who visited his court in 851 CE, gave very good account of the administration of Amoghavarsha. He had several titles and several inscriptions also eulogized him. Amoghavarsha was succeeded by his son Krishna II (880-914 CE) who in turn was succeeded by Indra III (914-929 CE). He invaded and conquered Kanauj, Paramaras, Banas, and Gurjara Pratiharas and extended his empire. He was succeeded by Amoghavarsha II in 929 CE. It appears that he lost his throne by the intrigues of his younger brother Govinda IV ( 929 - 935 CE). Krishna III (935-967CE) was the last great ruler and was famous for his expeditions. He marched against Cholas and defeated them at Takkolam battle. He conquered many principalities including Gangavadi, Bundelkhand, Cheras, Pandyas, Chedi, Kanchi, Nolambas, Malwa and erected a victory pillar at Rameswaram. Krishna was a great king brave and able administrator and held the titles like ‘Prithvivallabha‘, VallabhaNarendra ‘, ’Aklavarsha ‘etc. He built several temples in conquered territories including the Krishneswara temple at Rameswaram. After his death, the power of Rashtrakutas declined. He was succeeded by his brother Khottiga (967- 972 CE). Paramara Sreeyukha lay seize to Manyakheta and looted the capital. He was succeeded by Karka II during whose time the Rashtrakuta power further worsened. Tailapa II overthrew Karka and laid the foundation for the Chalukyas of Kalyana in 973 CE. Thus the vast and mighty Rashtrakuta empire has eclipsed from the South Indian history. 2.1 Contribution to Indian Culture : 2.1.1 Administration: The Rashtrakuta empire was the biggest empire in the history of Deccan. It extended from Malwa in the North to Kaveri valley in the South including large parts of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala and entire Karnataka and Maharashtra. They brought political unification of Deccan. The administrative system that they evolved was significant for its many features. The vast kingdom was divided into many divisions like ‘Rashtra‘, ‘Vishaya’, ‘Desa’, ‘Bhukti’. ‘Rashtrapathi’, ’Vishayapathi’, ’Bhogapathi’ or Bhogikas were the chief officers of these political units. The empire was further divided into Mahamandalas, Mandalas, and ‘Grama‘ was the last unit. Many inscriptions refer the names of various officers like Yuktas, Ayuktas, Niyuktas, Upayuktas, Shanbhaga etc. King was the head of the state and kingship was hereditary. King was assisted and guided by the Council of Ministers. The administration was based on the principles laid in the Hindu scriptures. The Rashtrakutas had a powerful army consisting of infantry, cavalry and Elephants. Land revenue was the main source of income to the royal treasury. There was an active commerce between the Deccan and Arabs. The Rashtrakuta kings promoted the Arab trade by maintaining cordial relations with them. Merchants had organized their separate trade guilds called Srenis. There were community guilds also and these trade guilds developed foreign trade. Coins made up of gold, silver and copper called as Suvarna, Gadyana, Darhama, Kalanju Dharana, were in circulation. These coins had impressions of gods and goddesses on one side and the names of the king on the other side along with the year of mint. 2.1.2 Religion: The renaissance of Hinduism, which began during the Gupta era, got a boost during this period. Saivism and Vaishnavism attained importance. Many Rashtrakuta kings were devotees of Siva, Vishnu and temples were built in their honour. Jainism was the religion of royal patronage. Amoghavarsha was a Jain. Buddhism was on decline due to lack of patronage. Throughout the kingdom people of all faiths received the royal encouragement without any discrimination. Tolerance was the keynote of the administration. The Rashtrakutas have permitted the Arabs to build their mosques on the West Coast. The 9th 3 century Arab traveler, Sulaiman who had visited the court of Amoghavarsha, appreciated the generous religious policy and liberal tolerance of other religions by the Rashtrakutas. 2.1.3 Literature: This era was a period of transition in the development of Kannada and Sanskrit literatures. Education received greater importance. Salotgi (Indi taluk of Bijapur district) was an important centre of education during the reign of Krishna III. The Rashtrakutas widely patronized the Sanskrit literature. The important Sanskrit works of the period were Trivikrama’s Nalacharita, Halayuda’s Kavirahasya, Jinasena’s Adipurana, Mahaviracharya’s Ganitasarasangraha, Saktayana’s Amoghavriti. The Kannada literature saw its beginning during the period of Rashtrakutas. Amoghavarsha’s Kavirajamarga was the first poetic work in Kannada language. Amoghavarsha was not merely a patron of literature, but himself was a scholar and his contribution to literature was immense. The trinity poets of this era i.e. Pampa, Ranna and Ponna have made inestimable contribution to Kannada literature. Pampa, was the first Kannada poet who wrote ‘Vikramarjuna Vijaya‘ (Pampa Bharata) and ‘Adipurana‘. Ponna, the court poet of Krishna III, wrote ‘Shanti Purana‘, was honoured with a title ‘Ubhaya Kavichakravarthi’. One significant factor about the literature of this era is that most of the writers were Jains. They were great scholars of Sanskrit, Kannada and Prakrit. 2.1.4 Art and Architecture: Rashtrakuta sculptors and architects have left behind evidence of greatness in their works of art and have occupied a prime place in ancient India .Their art exhibits the grace ,refinement and technical skill is of very high order .They were master-builders and have excavated or constructed the mighty temples. As a result of their liberal patronage, there appeared many great monuments and pieces of art. The Ellora and Elephanta cave temples of the Rashtrakutas strike the visitors and are really breathtaking structures for all ages .The Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was carved out of a monolith ( single rock ), during the period of Krishna I,is an unique achievement and has no parallel in the history of art. It is an architectural marvel with its beautiful structures. V. A. Smith ,the famous historian, remarked that “It is one of the wonders of the world a work of which any national might the proud of an honour to the king under whose patronage it was extended“. The Elephanta caves, near Bombay, also belonged to the same age. The sculptural art of Rashtrakutas reached its zenith. ’Trimurti’ or ‘Mahesh Murthi’ is the master - piece of these caves. Besides these two master-pieces, structural temples have also been built at places like Manyakheta, Pattadakkal, Mahakuta, Aihole, Badami, Belur, Sannathi, Rameswaram and at several other places in their lengthy empire.