History of Rastrakutas of Malkhed and Jainism

SR No.: 006719
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 374
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 72

The Raṣṭrakūtas Monarchs - A/11
1.6. The Raṣṭrakūṭas were king of kings. None of the dynasties and monarchs during that time were so powerful as the Rāṣṭrakūtas. In the mid eighth cent. they inflicted a major defeat on the then potential Gangas and vanquished the puissant Calukyas of Bādāmi. Whether they were friend or foe, it is curious to note that all these three dynasties favoured the cause of predominant Jaina faith. The Rāṣṭrakūṭa monarchs carried further the chariot of Jinadharma from where the Gangas and Bādāmi Calukyas had left it. Rāṣṭrakūṭas defeated Calukyas politically, but the Jainism of Calukyas defeated the Rāṣṭrakūtas.
1.6.1. In C. E. 754, Dantivarma spearheaded an invasion on Kirtivarmā (745-57), the Cälukya king and crushed a heavy defeat on him. Wherewith, it was Kṛṣṇa-I, a war like prince who carried out several expeditions and superseded the Calukya kingdom in C.E. 757 to seal their fate. Even though Kṛṣṇa could not wipe out the Gangas, he frustrated them, subjugated the recalcitrant feudatory, took Śivamāra, the Ganga prince, captive.
1.6.2. Thus, the Räṣṭraküṭas had crossed swords with the Gangas, initially for a stretched period of over a century. As the political wisdom prevailed, cordial relationship developed between the two houses and was further cemented by marriage alliances, primarily motivated by political consideration. Once more, it was Jainism, a common religion, that opened the flood gates of friendship. After inevitably accepting the suzerainty, the Gangas faithfully stood by their overlords. Būtuga-II and his sons, definitely the valiant Mārasimha, successfully lead the Rāṣṭrakūṭa army against their formidable foe.
1.6.2. The imperial Rāṣṭrakūtas, who replaced the Calukyas of Bādāmi (Vātāpi) holding up the southern expansion of the Pallavas on the bank of river Kāvēri, continued unabated in power from 8th to 10th cent. C.E., With