Dantidurga, the founder of the Imperial Rastrakuta family, left no son and was succeeded by his uncle Krishna I, who took the titles of Subhatunga and Akalavarsa upon his accession. Krishna was about 45 years old at the time of his accession and had most likely participated in several campaigns of his ambitious nephew, who had most likely approved of his succession. In this article, we will discuss Krishna I (756-774), an important Ruler of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Krishna I - Background

• Krishnaraja-I, Dantidurga's uncle, ascended to power around 760. According to one theory, he usurped the throne by deposing Dantidurga because the king had grown unpopular. Given his accomplishments, this theory is difficult to accept.
• In fact, it is patently incorrect, because an inscription clearly states that Krishnaraja-I came to power following the death of the great king Dantidurga.
• Three stone inscriptions, one copper grant, and 1800 silver coins were discovered and identified during Krishnaraja's reign.
• The first inscription in Hattimattur is undated; the second in Telegaon is dated 768; and the third in Alas is dated 770 C.E., with the copper grant dated 772 C.E.
• Krishna I kept the flag of Rashtrakuta's ascendency flying. In 760 C.E., he put an end to the Chalukyas' lingering power by defeating Kirtivarman II. He was given the titles Subhatunga and Akalavarsa.
• Krishna I established himself as the unrivaled ruler of the Deccan by defeating the Gangas of Mysore and the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. He extended his influence all the way to Southern Konkona.
• Krishna ruled over all of central India, according to the Bhandaka plate. So, under Krishna I, the Rashtrakuta empire included the entirety of modern Maharashtra, a good portion of Mysore, and the entirety of Andhra Pradesh.
• A portion of Vengi and Central India acknowledged his hegemony. Krishna I was a patron of art and architecture.

Krishna I - Features

• In 757, Krishna I, Dantidurga's uncle, defeated the last Badami Chalukya ruler, Kirtivarman II, and took command of the expanding Rashtrakuta Empire.
• He took over the territories that were still under the control of the Chalukyas.
• He also had control of Konkan.
• Krishna I also defeated Vengi's Vishnuvardhana and Mysore's Ganga king.
• He was an avid supporter of art and architecture.
• Rashtrakuta King Krishna I built the Kailash Temple in Ellora.

Art and Literature During Krishna I

• He built the famous rock-cut Siva temple at Ellora, known as the Kailasanatha temple. Only the Kailasanatha temple in Ellora is worthy of immortalizing Krishna I's name.
• The front portion of a hill was carved in such a way that it was transformed into a vast complex of Siva temples with exquisite sculptures depicting epic stories in the most lively form.
• He also constructed another eighteen Shiva temples, confirming his devotion to Shiva.
• He was a great supporter of education and established Kanneshwara College, where a large number of scholars lived and worked.
• During Krishnaraja's reign, the famous Jain author Akalanka Bhatta, author of the tome Rajavartika, lived in the college.
• Krishnaraja was the father of two sons, Govindaraja and Dhruvaraja.

Kailash Temple in Ellora

Conclusion

Krishna I am culturally significant in Indian history because he was the architect of the magnificent Kailasa Temple of Ellora (a UNESCO World Heritage site now). Govinda II, Krishna I's eldest son, succeeded him (r. 774-780 CE). Govinda II's military exploits include traveling to the Eastern Chalukya kingdom on his father's orders and assisting a certain Ganga king in regaining the throne from his brother. It is unknown how he died, but he was deposed by his younger brother Dhruva Dharavarsha.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following was a major military achievement of Krishna I?

A) Defeating the Cholas
B) Defeating the Pallavas
C) Defeating the Guptas
D) Defeating the Mauryas

2. The Kailasa temple at Ellora was commissioned by which ruler?

A) Krishna I
B) Dantidurga
C) Amoghavarsha
D) Somesvara I

3. Which dynasty did Krishna I belong to?

A) Chola
B) Rashtrakuta
C) Gupta
D) Pallava

4. What was one of the major contributions of Krishna I to Indian culture?

A) Establishing a new dynasty
B) Expanding the Rashtrakuta Empire
C) Constructing the Kailasa temple
D) Promoting Buddhism

5. Which empire did Krishna I help establish as a dominant force in the Deccan?

A) Maurya Empire
B) Rashtrakuta Empire
C) Chola Empire
D) Gupta Empire

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the military achievements of Krishna I and their impact on the Rashtrakuta Empire.

Answer: Krishna I’s reign was marked by significant military successes that expanded the Rashtrakuta Empire and solidified its power in the Deccan region. His most notable victory was over the Pallavas, which allowed the Rashtrakutas to annex important territories. His military campaigns against southern Indian powers not only expanded the empire's boundaries but also established the Rashtrakutas as one of the most powerful dynasties in the region. The military expansion under Krishna I helped in consolidating Rashtrakuta power, ensuring the stability of the empire, and fostering the growth of trade and culture across the empire.

Q2: How did Krishna I contribute to the cultural and architectural landscape of India?

Answer: Krishna I is remembered for his contributions to Indian architecture, most notably through the construction of the Kailasa temple at Ellora. This rock-cut temple remains one of the greatest architectural achievements in Indian history, demonstrating the ingenuity and skill of the artisans of that period. The temple, carved from a single piece of rock, reflects the artistic and religious ideals of the time, particularly Shaivism. Krishna I also promoted the flourishing of arts and literature, which had a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of the Rashtrakuta Empire and beyond.

Q3: Evaluate the political and military strategies employed by Krishna I that ensured the success of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Answer: Krishna I employed a combination of military prowess, strategic alliances, and consolidation of power to ensure the success of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. His military strategies, such as attacking and defeating the Pallavas, expanded the empire’s territories and secured its dominance over the Deccan region. Politically, he maintained stability by centralizing power, ensuring loyalty among subordinate rulers, and encouraging cultural patronage. His administrative skills allowed the Rashtrakuta Empire to flourish during his reign, both in terms of military strength and cultural achievements, particularly through the construction of monumental structures like the Kailasa temple at Ellora.

Previous Year Questions on Krishna I

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following rulers is known for commissioning the Kailasa temple at Ellora?

A) Krishna I
B) Amoghavarsha
C) Dantidurga
D) Somesvara I

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Krishna I is credited with commissioning the Kailasa temple at Ellora, a major architectural achievement of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Discuss the contributions of Krishna I to the military and cultural achievements of the Rashtrakuta dynasty."

Answer: Krishna I significantly enhanced the military power of the Rashtrakuta dynasty through successful campaigns, particularly his defeat of the Pallavas, which consolidated the Rashtrakutas’ dominance in the Deccan. His rule also saw the construction of the Kailasa temple, a remarkable feat of architecture that reflects the cultural vibrancy of the era. By promoting arts, architecture, and literature, Krishna I helped establish the Rashtrakutas as a major cultural force in medieval India.