Political History of Rashtrakuta Dynasty
Khottig ( 967-972 AD)
According to the Karhad inscription (Saka Samvat 894) after the death of Krishna III, the son of Amoghavarsha III, born from Kundakdevi, and Krishna III's younger brother, Khottig, belonged to the Rashtrakuta dynasty around 967 AD. Sitting on the throne Like its forefathers Nityavarsha , Amoghavarsha, Rattakandarpa, Sriprithvivallabh, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshwara and Bhattaraka Had assumed titles etc.
The reign of Khottig (967-972 AD) was a period of extinction of the Rashtrakutas. Although the first few years of his rule were spent peacefully, the crisis that followed, shook the foundation of the Rashtrakuta Empire.
Invasion of the Parmars: Krishna III had captured Malwa by defeating the Parmara ruler Siyak. After being defeated by Krishna III, Parmar Seyak Harsha of Malwa was compelled to accept his subordination. As soon as he got the news of the death of Krishna III, he decided to avenge his defeat with Khalighatta Tried to cross Narmada river at a place called. But Khottig's army repulsed Siyak and his army. A later Arthun article by the Parmaras (1080 AD) shows that Karkadev, a general of the Paramaras, was killed in this battle.
But Seyak did not disappoint with his defeat. After making full preparations, he attacked the Rashtrakutas for the second time around 972 AD across the river Narmada. Frightened by the Parmar invasion, Khottig sought help from his feudatory Gangraj Mar Singh, who was the ruler of Gangwadi, Belvola and Purigere. But before the help of Marasingh reached, Siyak defeated Khottig and destroyed Manyakhet (Malkhed), which caused a serious blow to the prestige of the Rashtrakuta Empire.
Parmar Udayaditya's Udaipur Prashasti It is said that Sriharsha (Siyak II) had kidnapped Rajalakshmi of Khotig. This was confirmed by Parmar Arjun article of Chamundarai Happens from. Dhanapal's Prakrit-kosha 'Payalachchinamamala ' It also shows that the ruler of Malwa (Siyak II) plundered Manyakhet and also hijacked office copies of copper plates from the Rashtrakutas archives.
According to the Shravanabelagola article, Marasingha II forced Siaka II to return from Manyakhet and followed him up to the Tapti and the Vindhyas. Thus Khottig again got the throne of Manyakhet with the help of Gangraj Marasingh, the feudatory of the Rashtrakutas. But after some time of this incident, the death of old Khotig in 972 AD Done.
Rashtrakuta ruler Dantidurga
Cancer II ( 972-973 AD)
After the death of Khottiga, his brother Nripatunga (Nirupam)'s son (nephew) Karka II ascended the Rashtrakuta throne in 972 AD. After Abhishek she Nrpatung , Veeranarayana, Amoghavarsha, Nutanparth, Ahitmartand, Rajatrinetra Adi assumed gallantry titles. He is the ultimate devotee of Shiva (Parammaheshwar ) was.
Karhad Copperplates of Cancer II It is said that he harassed the Pandyas, fought a fierce battle with the Hunas and defeated the Cholas and the Gurjars. But this is the traditional acclaim of the poet and there is not even a trace of historicity in it.
In fact Cancer II was an incompetent and weak ruler. Even before the ascension of Karka II, Parmar Siyak had attacked Malkhed and proved that the successors of Krishna III did not have the power to protect their dynasty. As a result, the feeling of independence among the subordinate feudal lords got stronger and a series of revolts started. Kirk II (972-973 AD) was completely unable to suppress the rebellions of the feudatories.
As an obedient feudatory from the time of Chalukya Tailap II Krishna III Tardavadi (Bijapur) was ruling a small kingdom. In the articles of 965 AD, he was called Mahasamantadhipati degree has been awarded. He considered himself a descendant of the Chalukyas of Badami and wanted to re-establish the vast empire that had deprived them for almost two centuries.
Chalukya feudatories Tailap II ( 982-997 AD) attacked Cancer and possibly defeated in a battle in northern Carnatic and forced him to leave the capital. Tailap captured Malkhed soon after the escape of Karka II. Gadaga articles of Vikramaditya VI It also shows that the Rashtrakuta dynasty was abolished between March, 973-974 AD.
Grandson of Krishna III Indra IV Tried to recapture the Rashtrakuta throne with the help of Gangraj Marasingh, but failed. Angered by this failure, Gangraj Marasingh in 975 AD and Indra IV in 982 AD Sallekhna Vrat Ended his life in Shravanabelagola by (constant fasting).
Thus in December, 973 AD, Tailap II extinguished the lamp of the Rashtrakuta dynasty and lit the Chalukya lamp, which remained lit till the end of the 12th century. The new dynasty founded by Tailap was called 'Western Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani called.
Karka II ruled over a small area in Karnataka until around AD 991 even after Tailap II. Kark II, the last ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty And with his death in 991 AD, the Rashtrakutas from Dakshinapatha came to an end for almost two centuries of rule and rule. It is the irony of history that the Rashtrakuta dynasty was established by overthrowing the Chalukya dynasty, and finally the power of this dynasty was overthrown by the Chalukya dynasty itself.
Many families belonging to the Rashtrakuta dynasty came to power in different parts of India during the heyday of the Rashtrakutas of Manyakhet. Therefore, even after the fall of the Rashtrakutas of Manyakhet, this dynasty continued to rule for many centuries in the states like Lattalur and Saundatti
Causes for the decline of Rashtrakutas
The Rashtrakutas played an important role in Indian politics from about 735 AD to 973 AD. In 967 AD, till the time of Krishna III, all the land south of Narmada remained the area of Rashtrakuta-administration, but in 973 AD only the memory of this dynasty remained. The disintegration of the Rashtrakuta Empire so quickly is an astonishing event. But if the reasons for this are studied properly, then it is known that the short-sighted policies of Krishna III, who had hoisted his victory flag from Narmada to Rameshwaram, led to the division of this dynasty.
The aggressive policies of Krishna III revolted the ancient Rashtrakutas and the obedient feudal lords, who stood watching their destruction and made no effort for their salvation. The northern border of the Rashtrakuta Empire was always secure due to friendly relations with the Chedis. Even a ruler like Krishna II had benefited from the great services of Chedi Kokkal.
When the foundation of this dynasty was shaken due to the luxuries of Govind IV, the Kalachuris installed a peaceful living Amoghavarsha III on the Rashtrakuta throne in their court. was saved from collapse. Even the Kalachuris had a special contribution in getting Krishna III the throne, but this ungrateful attack on the Chedis, ignoring the relationship, lost their sympathy. On the contrary Chalukya Tailap II, the destroyer of this dynasty, became the affectionate of the Kalachuris. Tailap II's mother was the daughter of the Chedi ruler Lakshmana. It is possible that Lakshmana also supported Tailap II against the Rashtrakutas.
Krishna III not only made a mistake by creating enmity with the Chedis, but also provided such an opportunity for the rise of some such new powers that they would become the Rashtrakutas after his death. proved fatal. He appointed the Parmars as the rulers of North and South Gujarat. As long as Krishna III lived, the Parmaras remained loyal to him. But soon after his death, he overthrew Khottig and plundered the Rashtrakuta capital Malkhed and mixed the honor and dignity of the Rashtrakutas in the dust. Similarly, by handing over the entire area south of Krishna to the Ganges, Krishna weakened the central power. In this way it was Krishna III who in a way had paved the way for the destruction of the Rashtrakutas.
This family tree would have remained stable, despite the mistakes of Krishna III, if the successors who protected it had been strong and capable. Khottig and Karka II did not have the vision, ability and administrative ability, which would have kept this huge heritage safe. After Krishna III, the central power had become so weak that they had no control over the local powers. The Shilahars of Konkan, the Rattas of Soundati and the Yadavas of Seundesh ignored their power and the Chalukyas of Vengi had no political influence.
Tailap II also benefited from the internal strife of the Rashtrakuta family. Tailap is married to a Rashtrakuta Princess Lakshmi of Bhammah happened with. Perhaps a section of the Rashtrakuta royal family was a supporter of Tailap II. The Chalukya ruler Vattig II of Laxmeshwar in Dharwad district and Bhillam II, the Yadava ruler of Khandesh were also supporters of Tailap II. Thus a section of Rashtrakuta feudatories and neighboring rulers were cooperating with Tailap II.
The continued north Indian campaigns of the Rashtrakutas must have affected their economic condition. The order of Digvijaya performed by Dhruva I, Govind III and Indra III for the performance of power did not bring any material benefit to the Rashtrakutas. Due to this, they suffered financial loss, on the other, the rulers of the north became their hereditary enemies, due to which the incompetent rulers like Amoghavarsha I had to suffer. In addition, in the long absence of the Rashtrakuta rulers, there were frequent conspiracies and rebellions in the Rashtrakuta capital. Therefore, the North Indian campaign of the Rashtrakutas can also be considered an indirect reason for their downfall.
The destruction of the vast empire thus established by the Rashtrakutas cannot be called unnatural according to the laws of nature. Scientifically, in that undeveloped era, any dynasty could remain intact even after ruling for so long, it should not be imagined. Just astonishing that its downfall was very short.
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Parmar Dynasty
Uttagupta Dynasty (Krishnagupta Dynasty)