The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c8.s3.228

c8.s3.228

We have seen from the cave inscriptions that from remote times tribes of Kshatriyas calling themselves Bhojas and Ratthis or Râshtrikas were predominant in the country. In the northern part of the Dekkan or Mahârâshtra these called themselves "the Great Ratthis or Mahâratthis, the ancient Marâthâs," but in other places the name in use must have been Ratthis or Ratthas, since we know of more modern chiefs in the Southern Marâthâ Country who called themselves by that name. Some of the Rattha tribes must have formed themselves into a family or group (kûta) and called themselves Ratthakûda, and later on Râthoda, the Sanskrit original of which is Râshtrakûta. Or the Râshtrakûta family was so called because it was the main branch of the Ratthas that had spread over the whole country. These native chiefs that ruled over the country must have been held in subjection by the Andhrabhrityas during the continuance of their power, and also by the later Kshatrapas. But after the dynasties became extinct they must have resumed their independence. The Âbhîras held sway for some time and over a part of the country only; for the tradition of Gauli or cowherd rulers which very probably refers to them is confined to the Nâsik and Khândeś districts. The Râshtrakûtas probably rose to power about the same time as the Âbhîras. Hence in the inscriptions on the Miraj plates and the Yevur tablet first brought to light by Mr. Wathen and Sir Walter Elliot,¹ respectively, it is stated that Jaysinha, the founder of the Châlukya dynasty in the Dekkan, established himself in the country after having vanquished Indra, the son of Krishna of the Râshtrakûta family. The Châlukya dynasty, was as will hereafter be seen, founded in the beginning of the sixth century of the Christian era. From about the end of the third to the beginning of the sixth century, therefore, the Dekkan was ruled over by princes of the Râshtrakûta family.