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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did Krishna III go to the party? Because he heard it was a wheel good time.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Krishna III
Maharajadhiraja
Vallabhanarendra
Paramabhattaraka
Akalavarsha
Shri-prithvi-vallabha[1]
12th Rashtrakuta Emperor
ReignDecember 939 – December 967[2]
PredecessorAmoghavarsha III
SuccessorKhottiga
BornKannaradeva
SpouseUnnamed princess of Chedi
IssueUnnamed son
Bijjabbe
DynastyRashtrakuta
FatherAmoghavarsha III
ReligionJainism[3][4]
Old Kannada inscription dated c. 944–45 of Rashtrakuta Emperor Krishna III

Krishna III (r. 939 – 967), was the last great warrior and able Rashtrakuta Emperor. He was a shrewd administrator and skillful military campaigner. He waged many wars to restore the glory of the Rashtrakutas and played an important role in rebuilding the Rashtrakuta empire. He patronised the famous Kannada poets Ponna, who wrote "Shantinatha Purana" and Gajankusha, who wrote on erotics, and the Apabhramsha poet Pushpadanta who wrote "Mahapurana" and other works.[5][6][7] His queen was a Chedi princess and his daughter Bijjabbe was married to a Western Ganga prince. During his rule he held titles such as Akalavarsha, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, Paramamaheshvara, Shri Prithvivallabha etc.[8] At his peak, he reigned over a vast empire stretching from at least the Narmada river in the north to at least the Kaveri river delta in the south. A copper grant of 993 issued by the Shilahara king of Thana states that the Rashtrakuta control extended from the Himalayas in the north to Ceylon in the south and from the eastern sea to the western seas. This grant also states that when the emperor Krishna III mobilised his armies, the kings of Chola, Bengal, Kannauj, Andhra and Pandya regions used to quiver.[9]

Southern conquests

[edit]

Sack of Thanjavur

[edit]

During the Rashtrakuta invasion of the Chola kingdom following the Battle of Takkolam (949 CE), the Western Ganga prince Butuga II, serving under the Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna III, is stated in the Kūdlūr plates of Marasimha (Śaka 884) to have defeated the Chola crown prince Rajaditya Chola, driven Emaganduga from his country, and burnt Tañjāpuri (identified as Thanjavur), Nāḷkelo, and other fortresses. The inscription further records that Butuga II presented elephants, horses, and great wealth to Krishna III after the campaign.[10][11]

Historian K. Rajayyan identifies Tañjāpuri with Thanjavur (Tanjore) and states that following the Rashtrakuta victory at Takkolam, the Rashtrakutas sacked Thanjavur, ravaged the Chola country, and annexed its northern provinces.[12] The same identification of Tañjāpuri with Tanjore was also noted in the Proceedings of the Indian History Congress (1957).[13]He slew the Western Ganga ruler Rachamalla II and made his brother-in-law Butuga II the king of the Gangavadi territory. He fought the Gurjara Prathihara and captured Chitrakuta and Kalinjara regions. He defeated his family relations, the Kalachuris of Tripuri (Chedi) when they had turned against the Rashtrakutas.[14] Later he invaded the southern Deccan and recaptured Kolar and Dharmapuri from the Banas and Vaidumbas who had given shelter to Govinda IV due to his matrimonial relations with the Cholas. Though he initially may have experienced setbacks,Before launching his invasion of the Chola kingdom, Krishna III secured Rashtrakuta control over Gangavadi. Parantaka I attempted to unseat Krishna III's brother-in-law, Butuga II, from the Western Ganga throne, but the campaign ended in defeat. Butuga II captured the Chola army's elephants and royal parasol and presented them to Krishna III. Parantaka's son-in-law, the deposed Rashtrakuta emperor Govinda IV, was also defeated. According to Anirudh Kanisetti, this was Parantaka's final attempt to challenge Rashtrakuta authority in Gangavadi before Krishna III's invasion of the Chola kingdom in 949 CE.[15] Tondaimandalam was secured by 944. He defeated the Cholas and captured Kanchi and Tanjore, according to the Siddalingamadam plates of 944.[16] Modern scholarship has questioned the authenticity of the Siddhalingamadam inscription, which attributes the conquest of Kanchi and Tanjore to Krishna III by 944/945 CE. V. R. Deoras, following K. A. Nilakanta Sastri, argued that the inscription is a forgery and that the conquest could not have taken place before the Battle of Takkolam (c. 949 CE), noting that Parantaka I's inscriptions continued in the Arcot region until 948 CE and that Krishna III was still at Manyakheta in 945 CE. Deoras concluded that A.D. 950 is the most probable date for the incorporation of Tondaimandalam into the Rashtrakuta Empire.[17]

He defeated Rajaditya Chola and drove the Chola forces out of the country of Emaganduga [18][19]In c. 949, he defeated the Cholas decisively in a Battle of Takkolam in present-day North Arcot district.[20] Krishna III was joined by his Western Ganga feudatory Butuga II in this campaign. Chola prince Rajaditya Chola was killed "while seated on his elephant with a well-aimed arrow". From the famous Atakur inscription it is known that Krishna III gave Buthuga II extensive Ratta territories near Banavasi in return for this victory.[8][21][22][23] Following the Rashtrakuta victory at the Battle of Takkolam (c. 949 CE), Krishna III and his Western Ganga feudatory Butuga II carried the war into the Chola kingdom, annexing Tondaimandalam and besieging Kanchi, Tanjore and Nalkelo. The Marasimha Kudlur copper-plate inscription records that Butuga burnt Tanjapuri (Thanjavur), Nalkelo and other fortresses, while Krishna III assumed the title Kacchiyum-Tanjaiyum-konda ("Conqueror of Kanchi and Tanjore").[24][25][26][27][28][29] With the fall of the Cholas, he extracted tribute from the Pandyas and the Chera ruler of Kerala.[30] He also obtained the submission of the King of Ceylon, extracted tributes from the Manadlika rulers, and erected a pillar of victory at Ramesvaram.[20][31] This victory is narrated in Somadeva's writing Yashatilaka Champu of 959 as well.[32]

However, from location of the inscriptions it is argued that Krishna III had full control only of Tondaimandalam (northern Tamil Nadu) as his inscriptions are not found further south in modern Tamil Nadu.[33] V. R. Deoras suggested that the short reigns of Gandaraditya and Arinjaya may have been due to their probable execution by Krishna III, citing the Karhad copper-plate claim that he had "uprooted the race of the Cholas".[34]After these victories he proclaimed himself "Conqueror of Kacci and Tanjai" (Kanchi and Tanjore).[35] The king of Simhala (Sri Lanka) acknowledged the supremacy of Krishna III and sent him tribute. Although the Mahavamsa states that the Rashtrakuta expedition to Sri Lanka was repulsed and ended in a treaty, V. R. Deoras regarded this account as exaggerated and one-sided, arguing instead that Mahinda IV was probably defeated by Krishna III and acknowledged his suzerainty. Deoras further cited Somadeva's Yashastilaka, composed in Śaka 881 (A.D. 959), which states that Krishna III was ruling from Melpadi after subduing the Pandya, Simhala, Chola, Chera and other kings.[36] Following his victories over the Cholas, Krishna III occupied Rameswaram and erected a pillar of victory there. Parantaka I fled to Ceylon and remained in exile for the rest of Krishna III's reign, making no attempt to recover the Chola territories from the Rashtrakutas.[37] According to M. V. Krishna Rao, Butuga II defeated the "invincible" Rajaraja, probably a Chola prince.[38] Gatţavādi Copper plate found record in the village also states that Butugendra conquered Rajaraja, described as "difficult to conquer"[39] Following the death of Krishna III in 967 CE, the Rashtrakuta feudatories and allies withdrew from Tamilakam to participate in the succession struggles in the Deccan, bringing an end to Rashtrakuta rule in the region.[40] He exerted influence on Vengi (modern Andhra Pradesh) by helping Badapa secure the throne against his competitor Amma II. Later, Danarnava of Vengi became his feudatory.

Northern conquests

[edit]

While Krishna III focussed on southern Deccan, the Chandelas had captured Chitrakuta and Kalinjar. This prompted Krishna III to send his Western Ganga vassal Marasimha II, son of Butuga II, to retrieve the lost areas. Marasimha defeated the Gurjara Prathiharas. The northernmost Kannada inscription of the Rashtrakutas, dated about 964 is the Jura record (near Jabalpur) in present-day Madhya Pradesh. The details of these victories are inscribed in this inscription.[16] Two inscriptions of Marasimha, dated 965 and 968, state that his forces destroyed Ujjayani (which lies in the Paramara territory of Malwa). Based on this, some historians such as A. S. Altekar conclude that the Paramara king Siyaka must have rebelled against the Rashtrakuta suzerainty, resulting in a military campaign against him. Thus, Marasimha must have also defeated the Paramaras. However, K. N. Sethi believes that Krishna III only targeted the Gurjara-Pratiharas: there is no evidence to show that Siyaka rebelled against Krishna III or faced a battle against his forces.[41]

At his peak, Krishna III ruled an empire that extended at least from the Narmada river in the north and stretched south covering large parts of present-day northern Tamil Nadu in the south. The Prathihara, the Paramara, the Seuna (ruled by Vaddiga) and the northern Kalachuris were his feudatories in the northern Deccan and central India.[42]

This enmity with the northern Kalachuris of Tripuri proved fatal to the empire towards the end of his rule. Krishna III was also perhaps reckless in giving large fiefs (land grants) to his commanders. He gave the province of Tardavadi (present day Vijayapura district) sometime before 965 to Tailapa II his Chalukya feudatory right in the heart of his empire. This later turned out to be to the Rashtrakutas' undoing.

Religion

[edit]

Krishna III is described as Jain by faith according to historian P.B. Desai. Their inscriptions begin by specifying the temple or religious institution to which the grant or donation is being made, rather than invoking a single deity.[43][44][45] Krishna III continued the Rashtrakuta dynasty’s longstanding and well-documented tradition of strong Jain patronage. Under the patronage of Krishna III, Kannada Jain Poet Ponna composed works such as "Shantinatha Purana", "Jinaksharamale", and "Bhuvanaika-Ramabhyudaya". Known for his Jain texts and command over both Kannada and Sanskrit,[46] Ponna was honoured by Krishna III with the title "Ubhaya-Kavi-Chakravarti" (Emperor among poets)[47] in recognition of his rich poetic imagery and mastery of literary style.[48] And Numerous inscriptions and land grants from Rashtrakuta rulers show sustained support for Jain monks, temples, and scholars across the Deccan, a policy begun by earlier kings like Amoghavarsha I. Krishna III maintained this inclusive approach, encouraging Jain religious institutions within his empire.[49][50]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Fleet, John Faithfull (ed.). Epigraphia Indica, Vol. 3. Calcutta: Government of India, 1894. pp. 270–273. Titles of Krishna III are recorded in multiple inscriptions, including the Savalagi and Ron inscriptions.
  2. ↑ "The Rāshțrakuțās and Their Times" (PDF). p. 122, 126. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  3. ↑ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
  4. ↑ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.
  5. ↑ Kamath (2001), p84, p90
  6. ↑ Sastri (1955), p356
  7. ↑ Reu (1933), p86
  8. 1 2 Reu (1933), p82
  9. ↑ Reu (1933), p43
  10. ↑ Ramesh, K. V. (1984). Inscriptions of the Western Gangas. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Karnataka. p. 428.
  11. ↑ Annual Report of the Mysore Archaeological Department for the Years 1920–1923. Government of Mysore. 1921. pp. 137–138.
  12. ↑ Rajayyan, K. (2005). Tamil Nadu: A Real History. p. 109.
  13. ↑ Deoras, V. R. (1957). "Fresh Light on the Southern Campaigns of the Rashtrakuta Emperor Krishna III". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 20: 137.
  14. ↑ Kamath (2001), p82
  15. ↑ Kanisetti, Anirudh (2025). Lords of Earth and Sea: A History of the Chola Empire. Juggernaut Books.
  16. 1 2 Kamath (2001), p83
  17. ↑ Deoras, V. R. (1957). "Fresh Light on the Southern Campaigns of the Rāshṭrakūṭa Emperor Kṛishṇa III". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 20: 133–140.
  18. ↑ Hayavadana Rao, C., ed. (1930). Mysore Gazetteer. Vol. II: Historical, Part II. Government Press. p. 672.
  19. ↑ Annual Report of the Mysore Archaeological Department for the Year 1920. Government Press. 1921. p. 22.
  20. 1 2 From the Karhad record of 949 (Kamath 2001, p83)
  21. ↑ From the Atakur inscription (Kamath 2001, p83)
  22. ↑ Sarma (1992), p20, p28, p133
  23. ↑ Adiga (2006), p120, p307
  24. ↑ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. History of South India (4th ed.). p. 170.
  25. ↑ Rajayyan, K. (2005). Tamil Nadu: A Real History. p. 109.
  26. ↑ Deoras, V. R. (1957). "Fresh Light on the Southern Campaigns of the Rāshṭrakūṭa Emperor Kṛishṇa III". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 20: 136–137.
  27. ↑ Rao, M. V. Krishna. The Gangas of Talkad. p. 97.
  28. ↑ Hayavadana Rao, ed. (1930). Mysore Gazetteer. Vol. II: Historical, Part II. p. 672.
  29. ↑ Annual Report of the Mysore Archaeological Department for the Year 1920. 1921. p. 22.
  30. ↑ Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala: Brahmin Oligarchy and Ritual Monarchy: Political and Social Conditions of Kerala Under the Cēra Perumāḷs of Makōtai (c. AD 800 – AD 1124). Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 100–101.
  31. ↑ From the Sholapur copper plate inscriptions of 958 (Reu 1933, p84, p85)
  32. ↑ Krishna III is described as the conqueror of Chola, Chera, Pandya and Simhala (Ceylon) (Reu 1933, p86)
  33. ↑ Sathianath Ayer in Kamath 2001, p83
  34. ↑ Deoras, V. R. (1957). "Fresh Light on the Southern Campaigns of the Rashtrakuta Emperor Krishna III". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 20: 137.
  35. ↑ from the Tirukkalukkunram and Lakshmeshvara inscriptions (Reu 1933, p83, p85)
  36. ↑ Deoras, V. R. (1957). "Fresh Light on the Southern Campaigns of the Rāshṭrakūṭa Emperor Kṛishṇa III". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 20: 137–138.
  37. ↑ Murthy, H. V. Sreenivasa; Ramakrishnan, R. (1977). A History of Karnataka (From the Earliest Times to the Present Day). New Delhi: S. Chand & Company Ltd. p. 96.
  38. ↑ Krishna Rao, M. V. (1936). The Gangas of Talkad. p. 83.
  39. ↑ Gopal, B. R. (1958). Epigraphia Carnatica. Vol. III.
  40. ↑ Kanisetti, Anirudh (2022). Lords of the Deccan. Juggernaut Books.
  41. ↑ Seth 1978, pp. 80–81.
  42. ↑ However the Deoli inscriptions state that the Rashtrakuta control extended from the Himalayas in the north to Ceylon in the south and from the eastern sea to the western sea (Reu 1933, p83, p84)
  43. ↑ Kamath (2001), p.91
  44. ↑ Chopra et al. (1993), p.91
  45. ↑ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.
  46. ↑ Narasimhacharya, R. (1988). History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. pp. 20–22.
  47. ↑ Narasimhacharya, R. (1988). pp. 20–22.
  48. ↑ Narasimhacharya, R. (1988). pp. 20–22.
  49. ↑ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
  50. ↑ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.

References

[edit]
  • Chopra, P.N.; Ravindran, T.K.; Subrahmanian, N (2003) [2003]. History of South India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) Part 1. New Delhi: Chand Publications. ISBN 81-219-0153-7.
  • Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. (2002) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-560686-8.
  • Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041.
  • Narasimhacharya, R (1988) [1988]. History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi, Madras: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0303-6.
  • Reu, Pandit Bisheshwar Nath (1997) [1933]. History of The Rashtrakutas (Rathodas). Jaipur: Publication scheme. ISBN 81-86782-12-5.
  • Adiga, Malini (2006) [2006]. The Making of Southern Karnataka: Society, Polity and Culture in the early medieval period, AD 400–1030. Chennai: Orient Longman. ISBN 81-250-2912-5.
  • Sarma, I.K. (1992) [1992]. Temples of the Gangas of Karnataka. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. ISBN 0-19-560686-8.
  • Seth, Krishna Narain (1978). The Growth of the Paramara Power in Malwa. Progress.
[edit]
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