Post Gupta - Rashtrakutas Dynasty

-
  • Rashtrakutas who were bidding their time to capture Kanauj from Pratiharas succeeded in their motive and continued to rule until 10th century CE.
  • Rivalry between Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas to be destructive to both the dynasties.
Rise of the Dynastry
  • Rashtrakutas – feudatories of the western Chalukyas of Vatapi.
  • Dandidurga (Great Ruler) - territorial conquest after the death of Vikramaditya II (733–746 CE), the Chalukya ruler.
  • By 750 CE, Became master of central and south Gujarat.
  • After defeating Kirthivarman II (746-753 CE), Chalukya ruler of Vatapi assumed title of Maharajadhiraja, Parameshwara & Paramabhattaraha.
  • Developed relationships with the Pallava ruler Nandivarman II by giving his daughter in marriage to the Pallava king.
  • After Dandidurga’s death in 758 CE, his uncle (father’s brother) Krishna I ascended the throne.
Rashtrakutas Rulers
Krishna I and His Successors
  • Krishna I (756–775 CE) defeated the Gangas of Mysore.
  • His eldest son Govinda II succeeded him in 775 CE. He defeated the Eastern Chalukyas.
Dhruva (780–794 CE)
  • During the reign of Dhruva (Govinda II Brother), the Rashtrakuta power reached its zenith.
  • Dantivarman, Pallava king, ruler of venki defeated and accept his suzerainty.
  • Defeat Vatsarya, the Prathihara king, and Dharmapala, the Pala ruler of region around Kanauj. Nominate his 3rd son Govinda III as the heir-apparent.
Govind III (794-814 CE)
  • Dantika, the Pallava king, was subdued to him.
  • Vishnuvaradana, ruler of venki do not change his authority.
  • Overlord of the Deccan.
Amoghavarsha (814-880 CE)
  • Son of Govinda III.
  • First 20-year endless war in western ganga. Later, his daughter marry to ganga prince.
  • Great poet and his Kavirajamarga is the earliest Kannada work on poetics.
Krishna III (939 - 968 CE)
  • Last ruler of Rashtrakuta dynasty
  • Invaded Chola kingdom with his brother in law Butunga. Kanchi & Thanjavur were captured in 943 CE.
  • In 949 CE, Defeate chola army of Rajadithiya in battle of Takkolam.
  • He marched upto ramehvaram where he built a pillar of Victory.
  • Joined the contest that was held then among the northern ruling dynasties for control of Kanauj.
  • Conflict over possession of Kanauj cause local king to assert their independence and also invasion from north-west.
  • successors of Krishna III were too weak to save the kingdom from its decline.
Religious
  • Worship of shiva & Vishnu.
  • Seals have the pictures of Garudavahana of Vishnu or of Shiva seated in yogic posture.
  • Hiranyagarbha ritual by Dantidurga at Ujjayini.
  • Offer gold equal to one’s own weight.
  • Jainism patronised by Amoghavarsha I, Indra IV, Krishna II & Indra III. Buddhism has declined (only important center was at Kanheri).
Literature
  • Amoghavarsha I was the author of Prasnottaramalika, a Sanskrit work, and Kavirajamarga, a Kannada work.
  • Jinasena wrote the Adipurana of the Jains.
  • Gunabhadra, spiritual guide of Krishna II wrote Mahapurana of the Jains
  • Germ of Asian kannada literature - Kavichakravarthi Ponna, Adikavi Panpa and Kavichakravarti Ranna – patronised by Krishna III
Architecture
  • Rock-cut Shiva temple (Monolithic Kailasanath Temple – Single rock) at Ellora and Elephant was built by Krishna I in 8th Century. - similar to the Lokesvara temple at Pattadakal, in Karnataka, buil by Chalukya king Vikramaditya II to commemorate his victory over the Pallavas
  • Ellora caves have features of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments.
  • Amoghavarsha I espoused Jainism, five Jain cave temples at Ellora.
  • The best specimens of sculpture inside the temple.
  • Dasavatara Bhirava, Ravana shaking the Mount Kailasa, dancing Shiva and Vishnu, and Lakshmi listening to music.
  • The main shrine at Elephanta is artistically superior to the shrines at Ellora.
  • The sculptures such as Nataraja and Sadashiva excel even that of the Ellora sculptures in beauty and craftsmanship.
  • Ardhanarishvara and Maheshamurti are the other famous sculptures.
  • The latter, a three-faced bust of Lord Shiva, is 25 feet tall and considered one of the finest pieces of sculpture in India.
  • The paintings are still seen in the porch of the temple of Kailasa and ceilings of the Mahesamurti shrine at Ellora.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Indian Painting - Pre History

-
Image
    History and Evolution of Painting in India - An Overview India has a long tradition of artistic excellence and painting is one of the major mediums that has been used to express it. There is several evidence suggesting that painting flourished in India since ancient times. Archaeologists have found wall paintings in parts of India, which suggest that even the early historic man in India was engaged in activities of art and leisure The history of painting can be traced through the ancient and medieval period where the books were illustrated with paintings Then came the miniature style that dominated the Mughal and Rajput courts. With the coming of the Europeans, the art of painting and engraving took a western turn. Modern painters experimented with styles, colours and designs. Many Indian painters have gained worldwide recognition and are winning prizes and accolades for their vision. Principles of Painting The history of paintings can be known from primitive rock paintings of Bhim
Read more

Classification of Indian Paintings

-
Image
    Classification of Indian Paintings Indian Paintings have been broadly classified into two. Mural Paintings Miniature Paintings Mural Paintings The work on the walls or a solid structure are referred to as Murals. These have existed in India since ancient times and can be dated between 10th century BC and 10th century AD. The evidence of such paintings can be found at several locations in India. The beauty and the exquisiteness of mural paintings can be seen in places like Ajanta, Armamalai Cave, Ravan Chhaya Rock Shelter, Bagh Caves, Sittanavasal Caves and Kailash Temple in Ellora. Most of the mural paintings are either in natural caves or in rock cut chambers. The paintings follow a theme, the most common being Hindu, Buddhist and Jain. Mural paintings were also made to adorn any mundane premise. For e.g. Ancient theatre room in Jogimara Caves. Ajanta Cave Paintings One of the oldest surviving murals of Indian sub-continent, Ajanta caves were carved between 2nd century BC to 5th c
Read more

Solar system

-
Image
Galaxy Gravitational bound system of star, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter. Ex: Milky way. A galaxy is a huge system of billions of stars. Our solar system is a part of the milky way galaxy. Our Milky way galaxy was named “Akash ganga”. There are millions of galaxies that make the Universe. Distance galaxy: GN-z11 (March 2016) Hubble classification Eliptical (E) Spiral (S): Andromeda & Sombrero (unbarred) Lenticular Celestial bodies: Sun, Moon. Two types: Emit light (Star), Don’t Emit Light (Planets) North Star – Pole Star – Indicates north Direction Constellations (Group of star) – 88 Official Ursa Major – Big Dipper Tail – Alioth – Brightest in Ursa Major Saptarishi Mandal Polaris – Brightest in Ursa Minor The Sun Made up of extremely hot gases. The sun is about 150 million km away from the earth. 30 times greater than Earth. Black hole – It absorb light but does not emit due to high gravitational force. Corona – Outer surface of the sun (About 6000 k) S
Read more