The Rashtrakutas

 The word ‘Rashtrakuta’ means chief of the Rashtra (division or kingdom). It is possible that the line of kings belonged to this class of provincial officers, as the designation appears in the inscriptions of many dynasties. We may say for sure that the Rashtrakutas were high officials, either provincial chiefs or another kind of administrators. For example, a Rashtrakuta Govindaraja, son of Shivaraja acting as vijnapti (petitioner), is mentioned in the Naravana plates of Chalukya Vikramaditya II of Badami. Romila Thapar also cites that Dantidurga – founder of the main branch of the Rashtrakutas – was one of the subordinates of Chalukyas and a high official in the administration. Historians are still not clear about origin of the Rashtrakutas and its branches. Following the tradition of devising Puranic pedigrees, the Rashtrakutas also claim in their inscriptions that they belong to the Satyaki branch of Yaduvamsha (e.g. Inscription Nos. IX, X and XXI) and the line of Tungas (e.g. Inscription Nos. XXIV, XXV and XXVI). Historian Nilkantha Sastri, based on the study of inscriptions, claims that the Rashtrakutas were of Kannada origin, and their plates indicate that Kannada was their mother tongue despite the extensive use of Sanskrit. Also, the standard title Lattaloora-puravareshvara (“the eminent lord of the city of Lattalura”) assumed by Rashtrakuta princes of both the main line and of the secondary branches indicates their original home. Lattalura has been identified with Latur in the Bidar district of Hyderabad. In this way, we can say that Deccan was the original home of the Rashtrakutas, which generally means the whole region occupied by the Telugu speaking population as well as Maharashtra with certain parts of northern Karnataka (Kannada speaking).

 

The Rashtrakuta dynasty is famous for a long line of brave warriors and able administrators, which helped them in the formation of a vast empire. They fought continuously with the Pratiharas, eastern Chalukyas of Vengi (in modern Andhra Pradesh), Cholas, Pallavas of Kanchi and the Pandyas of Madurai. The Pallavas were in decline and their successors – the Cholas – were emerging. Weaknesses of these kingdoms became helpful in victories and the establishment of Rashtrakuta empire. There was no power in northern India strong enough to interfere with affairs of the Deccan that also provided an opportunity for the emergence of Rashtrakutas. Thapar argues that geographical position of the Rashtrakutas, i.e. in the middle of the Indian subcontinent led to their involvement in wars and alliances with both the northern and, more frequently, the southern kings. It resulted in expansion of the empire in all directions. Historian Karashima argues that one of the crucial factors for the formation of Rashtrakuta power might have been an environment within their territory favourable to the growth of agriculture. Thapar also explores favourable economic factors and mentions that the Rashtrakutas had the advantage of controlling a large part of the western seaboard and, therefore, trade with West Asia, particularly with the Arabs, provided the wealth to back their political ambitions.

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