Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c10.s4: The Rāṣṭrakūṭas: (C.756-973 A.D.)
Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c10.s4
- Language
- English
The Rāṣṭrakūṭas: (C.756-973 A.D.)
c10.s4.1
The Rāṣṭrakūṭas, who succeeded by overthrowing the political yoke of the early Chālukyas of Bādāmi, established their capital initially at Pratiṣṭhānapura (Paithan, now in Mahārāṣhtra) and subsequently at Mānyakhēṭa (i.e. probably Malkhēḍ, Chitāpur Taluka, Gulbarga District, Karnāṭaka). Perhaps, their history unfortunately has not received deserving concern and place by the historians of India in spite of their strongest control over thousands of square kilometres covering the vast planes of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā in the Northern India, and up to the Kāverī in the South. The horses of the Rastrakuta warriors usually used to drink the waters of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā. This shows their gallantry and glory. In the preceding ages in the ancient Indian history, though India did witness the role of great many empires, it is only the Rastrakutas who undoubtedly officially declared their empire as ‘Rāṣṭrakūṭa’ i.e. the comity of Nations - the historical fact of the conception of nation or Rāṣtra. (Discussion with Dr.Bendre,D.R.).
c10.s4.2
With the stronghold strengthened by Amōghavarsha I (C.814-878 A.D.) at Maḻkhēḍ, on the left bank of the river Kāginā, the Rāshtrakūta masons and craftsmen not only were experienced in defence architectural style as seen in the fort of Maḻkhēḍ but also were well versed in carving out the colossal rock cut temples like Kailāsanāth temple at Ellora and the splendid and Serene statues like the Mahēsha (C.856-866 A.D.) at Elephanta near Bombay in the waves of the Arabian sea.
c10.s4.3
The Rāshtrakūta kings noteworthy, among others, are Krishṇa I (756-774 A.D.); Dhruva (C.780-793 A.D.); Gōvinda-III (793-814 A.D.), Amōghavarsha-I (814-878 A.D.); Indra-III (914-929 A.D.); Krishṇa-III (C.939-967 A.D.) etc., and the latter kings administered their empire from the seat of Maḻkhēḍ fort. Amōghavarsha-I was especially responsible for enlarging beautifying and modifying substantially the fort of Maḻkhēḍ.
c10.s4.4
The empire ended at the time of Karka-II (C.972-973 A.D.) as the Later Chālukyas headed by Taila-I (C.973-997 A.D.) became powerful and the administration fell into their hands further.
c10.s4.5
The Later Chālukyas: (C.973-1198 A.D.)
c10.s4.6
The Later Chālukyas (C.973-1198 A.D.) recaptured the lost power from the hands of the Rāshtrakūtas, under Tailapa-I (C.973-997 A.D.). With their capital at Kalyāṇa (now renamed officially as Basava Kalyāṇa in Bīdar District), they had a sway over the parts of the western, middle and the South India upto the river Tungabhadra. During a long span of time over two centuries, the Later Chalukyas controlled over this region from the capital forts and sub-capital forts like Kalyāṇa, Mōrkhind, Mangalavīdu (both now in Mahārāṣṭra) and Lakkuṇḍi of District Dharwad. These forts, on the unexpected attacks on the onset of Muslims from the North, were so well modified that they could absorb the shocks of the Persian style of wars.
c10.s4.7
The Later Chālukyas enriched the art, architecture and literature of Karṇāṭaka. Especially during the reign of Jayasimha-II or Jagadēkamalla, (C.1015-1044 A.D.), Somēshwara-I (in the Tungabhadra, drowned near Kuruvatti Fort) ( 1044-1068 A.D.), Vikramaditya-VI (C.1079-1127 A.D.) and Someshwara IV (C.1158-1198 A.D.), for a span of almost 200 years, Kalyāṇa was the centre in the political activities of South India.
c10.s4.8
During the time of Jagadēkamalla-III, around 1210 A.D. the Kalyāṇa fort was invaded by Malik-Kafur and thus the Later Chālukyan dynasty began to fade away before the powerful onslaughts of the Muslims from the North.