Rashtrakuta Dynasty

Dantidurga founded the Rashtrakuta Empire. Manyakheta in Gulbarga district of Karnataka is the capital of Rashtrakuta. Amoghavarsha I was the most popular ruler of this empire. Rashtrakuta kings ruled from the Deccan. After Amoghavarsha, the Rashtrakuta dynasty became extinct. The Arab traveler Sulaiman mentions Amoghavarsha I in his work. Amoghavarsha wrote Kavirajamarga, the earliest extant literary work in Kannada, and Prashnottara Ratnamalika, a religious work in Sanskrit. Kavirajamarga is a milestone book in Kannada literature. During his rule he held the title of Nrupathunga. He is also known as the Asoka of South India. Rashtrakuta king, Krishna I built the famous rock – cut Kailashnath Temple in Ellora Caves. It was constructed in the Dravidian style and elaborately carved with fine sculptures. Their king, Krishna – III set up a pillar of victory and a temple at Rameshwaram. Rashtrakutas are credited with the building of cave shrine of Elephanta. It was dedicated to Shiva. Rashtrakuta Empire ruled from AD 753 to AD 982.