The Rashtrakutas Of Manyakheta And The Chalukyas Of Kalyana

Dantidurga

He was the first ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty and a feudatory king under Chalukyas. He overthrew the Chalukya king to establish the Rashtrakutas dynasty.

Tailapa II

He established the kingdom of Kalyana Chalukyas after defeating the Rashtrakuta king, Karka II. He was a feudatory king of the Rashtrakutas.

Hal yudha

Rashtrakutas encouraged writings in both Kannada and Sanskrit. Shanti Purana and Kavirajamarga are also well known works of the Rashtrakutas’ reign.

Shanti Purana

Rashtrakutas’ rule saw the creation of many great literary works. Among other were, Kavirahasya and Kavirajamarga.

Vikramaditya VI

His rule was renowned for its prosperity. He was a great warrior as well as an administrator. He established good diplomatic relations too.

Sri Jagajyoti Basaveshwara

He spread most of his life spreading the principles and values of the Veershaiva sect. He was welcomed by all people and became influential.

The administrative system of Rashtrakutas:

1. There was a hereditary accession of the throne in Rashtrakutas dynasty.

2. There was a Council of Ministers who helped the king with the administration. Mahasandhivigrahi was one the Ministers who managed the foreign affairs.

3. Kingdom was divided into Rashtra, Vishaya, Nadu and Grama where gramapati or prabhugavunda was the head of the Grama.

4. There would be village army, gram sabhas and a village accountant for each grama.

5. Similar heads were there in vishaya and rashtra like nadagavunda in Nadus.

The educational system under Rashtrakutas:

1. Rashtrakutas encouraged both Kannada and Sanskrit. Excellent works were written in Sanskrit. Trivikrama wrote Nalachampu, the first champu work in Sanskrit literature, Hal Yudha wrote ‘Kavirahasya’.

2. ‘Shrivijaya, who was in the court of Amoghavarsha, wrote ‘Kavirajamarga’ in Kannada.

3. There were two most important centers for education- Agraharas and Mathias.

4. Various subjects were taught and practiced in the kingdom like Sanskrit, astrology, and logic.

5. Important texts like Vedas and Puranas were also taught.

6. Salotgi in Indi taluk of Bijapur district was renowned as a learning center.

Ellora temple:

1. Kailashnath temple is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples at Ellora (Maharashtra).

2. It is megalith carved out of one single rock.

3. The building of Ellora temple was patronized by the Rashtrakutas.

4. The entire Kailashnath temple at Ellora was carved out of one stone under the rule of Krishna I.

5. The rock out of which it was carved was 100 feet high, 276 feet long and 154 feet wide.

6. The temple is famous worldwide and is considered an architectural wonder.

Literature under Kalyan Chalukyas:

1. Literature and education received special attention during Kalyan Chalukya’s rule.

2. Kannada literature flourished under Kalyan Chalukyas and Jain scholars contributed a lot to its writings.

3. Many prominent works like Gadayuddha by Ranna, Panchatantra by Durgasimha and Dharmamruta composed by Nayasena became famous and most prominent legal work Mitakshara written by Vignaneshwara.

4. Vignaneshwara authored Mitakshara which was about law and order.

5. Even King Someshwara III wrote a Sanskrit encyclopedia called Manasollasa.

6. The unique contribution of the Chalukyan period has been the Vachana literature. Akkamahadevi, Allamaprabhu, Machayya, and others were leading vachanakaras.

Temples of Rashtrakutas period are exquisitely carved. It is an architectural marvel. The Kailash temple especially was carved out of a single rock! Scenes from the Puranas and sculptures of deities surround the walls and pillars. They are called cave temples and mark a glorious history of skilled artists. Most of the temples have gateways, shrines, shikharas, and mandapas which are all features of temples built during those times.

Ellora Caves and the Elephant Caves are heritage sites now. Tourists across the world come to see these wonders of the past.

I went to Ellora- Ellora is located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. There is beautiful cave temple in Ellora built by Rashtrakutas in ancient time. There are 34 caves carved out of Charanandari hills. Ellora caves are a famous tourist spot in Maharashtra. The temples were patronized by the royal families of Rashtrakutas and Yadavas dynasties.

There is famous cave temple Kailashnath temple in Ellora caves.

These caves are related to 3 faiths (Buddhist, bramhanical and Jaina) and sculptures in caves are from these religions.

Ellora caves are world heritage site recognized by UNESCO.

Ellora is located in Maharashtra and its cave temples are world famous. Its most famous temple is the Kailash temple which has been carved out of a single rock. The Shiv temple was carved out of a rock 100 feet high, 276 feet long and 154 feet wide. The temples were patronized by the royal families of Rashtrakutas and Yadavas dynasties. The carvings mostly depict scenes from the Puranas, Vedas and Hindu mythologies. There are three types of monuments: Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina caves. There were strategically located during those times in the ways of South Asian trade. Today, they are a major tourist attraction.

Basavanna was a devotee of Shiva, Hindu philosopher, Kannada poet of Bhakti movement and a social reformer. His poetry was called Vachanaas and wrote down about ways of life.

He did not believe in any discrimination which attracted numerous people to his philosophy. Basavanna was the founder of the lingayatism that spread across Karnataka. He was the chief minister of his kingdom and used the power to bring social reforms and establish institutions that were open to all.

He did not believe in rituals or symbols or temple worship but only wore a small linga. He was part of the Bhakti movement that was rising during this period. He believed that anyone could worship Shiva directly and that gender or caste or religion makes no difference.