________________
THE RASHTRAKUTA MONARCHS."
“The Bal hara ( =Vallabharaya ) is the most illustrious Prince in all the Indies and all the other kings there, though each is master and independent in his own kingdom, acknowledge in him this prero-' gative and pre-eminence"
-Abu Zaid
The Rashtrakuta kings were the greatest monarchs of their time in India. They belonged to the Chandra Vansa of the Ksatriyas. Foreign scholars who
visited India at the time spoke highly of the Rashtrai kutas. Sulaiman (8S1 A, D.) the Arab, wrote of
the ruling prince Rashtrakuta of India: "Every prince in India cvcn in his own land paid him homage. He was the owner of many elephants and of great wealth. He refrained from wine and paid his troops and scrvants regularly. In his territory, property was secure, theft and robbery were unknown, commerce was encouraged, and foreigners were treated with consideration and respect."
The Rashtrakutas being brave and warlike tribesmen, were always alert to safeguard the lives and property of their people aud so they were constantly at war with their neighbours; in the North they waged
