The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c6.s3.3

c6.s3.3

It was Dantidurga who, by some crushing defeat of the Chālukyas, established Rāṣṭrakūṭa sway over the Kanarese districts; but their complete subjugation was effected by Kṛṣṇa I., his uncle and successor. Dantidurga's triumphs are recorded in the inscription upon the Daś Avatāra cave at Ēlūrā.¹ The Rāṣṭrakūṭa capital may, at this time, have been located in the vicinity of the Ēlūrā caves. There was, already, a series of Buddhist cave-temples excavated here, in the hill side, facing the west, and there appears to have been a settlement in the plain in front of them. Sundry remains may still be seen, especially old brick wells. These, which are more immediately in front of the Buddhist caves, are probably of the Buddhist period; and there was possibly a considerable colony here when Dantidurga called off their workmen to construct for him similar works to the glory of his Hindu gods. The Rāṣṭrakūṭa capital may have occupied a position on the plateau above, where, at a spot marked on the Indian Atlas sheets as 'Sooloobunjun,' are remains which might well be those of a town or city. Amongst other ruins are those of a very large tank or reservoir (not the later Muḥammadan one amongst the hills) which was surrounded on all sides with tiers of cut-stone masonry steps leading down into it, which make it look not unlike the remains of some large amphitheatre.²