Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c10.s4.1

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.).