Krishna III, also known as Kannara in Kannada, was the last great warrior and able monarch of the Rashtrakuta dynasty of Manyakheta (r. 939 – 967 C.E.). He was a shrewd administrator and a skilled military campaigner. He fought many wars to restore Rashtrakuta's glory and was instrumental in rebuilding the Rashtrakuta empire. He supported the famous Kannada poets Sri Ponna, who wrote Shanti Purana, Gajankusha, also known as Narayana, who wrote on erotica, and Pushpadanta, an Apabhramsha poet who wrote Mahapurana and other works. His queen was a Chedi princess, and his daughter Bijjabbe married a Western Ganga prince. In this article, we will discuss Krishna III (939-967), an important ruler of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Krishna III - Background

• Krishnaraja, Baddiga's eldest son, rose to power around C.E 939.
• Even as a Crown Prince, he wielded considerable power in the kingdom's governance during his father's brief reign. He went on to become an effective ruler after ascending to the throne.
• In C.E 949-50, he defeated the Chola dynasty at Takkola. An inscription commemorating the victory mentions Krishnaraja assassinating Chola king Rajaditya during the battle.
• Some inscription mentions this is incorrect, as Stayavakya Bhutuga II, the husband of Krishnaraja's elder sister Revakanimmadi, murdered Rajaditya.
• During his reign, he was known as Akalavarsha, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, Paramamaheshvara, Shri Prithvivallabha, and other titles.
• He ruled a vast empire stretching from the Narmada river in the north to the Kaveri river delta in the south at his peak.
• According to a copper grant issued in 993 by the Shilahara king of Thana, Rashtrakuta control extended from the Himalayas in the north to Ceylon in the south, and from the eastern to western seas.
• According to the grant, when King Krishna III mobilized his armies, the kings of Chola, Bengal, Kannauj, Andhra, and Pandya regions trembled.

Military Campaign During Krishna III’s Reign

• Krishna III was a military mastermind. Throughout his reign, he oversaw military campaigns in every direction.
• First, with the assistance of some Rashtrakuta feudatories, Krishna III defeated the Gurjara king.
• Second, he led a campaign in South India in which King Dantiga of Kanchi and Vappuga was defeated and killed, while his kingdom was conquered and destroyed, the Pandya territory was conquered, and the king of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) was subjugated.
• He also defeated King Antiga of the Pallava dynasty and protected the Kalachuris from the Gurjara invasion.
• According to the inscriptions, he was also the conqueror of Kanchi and Tanjore, as well as the incarnation of death to Chola kings.
• It is written that he assumed the title of Chakravarti around C.E 949 and had feudatories extending from the Himalayas to Ceylon and touching both oceans.
• He also had no qualms about conquering territories held by allies and relatives.
• He deposed Rachmala I of the Ganga dynasty and installed his brother-in-law Bhutuga II on the throne, who later assassinated Rachmala.
• Krishnaraja also defeated Shasrarjuna, the Kalachuri king of Chedi, though it is unclear whether the kingdom was annexed or not.

Southern Invasion

• He assassinated Western Ganga ruler Rachamalla II and installed his brother-in-law Butuga II as king of Gangavadi territory.
• He invaded Gurjara Prathihara's territory and took over the Chitrakuta and Kalinjara regions.
• He even defeated his own family members, the Tripuri (Chedi) Kalachuris, who had turned against the Rashtrakutas.
• Later, he invaded the southern Deccan and reclaimed Kolar and Dharmapuri from the Banas and Vaidumbas, who had provided Govinda IV with shelter due to his matrimonial ties with the Cholas.
• Despite initial setbacks, Tondaimandalam was secured by 944. According to the Siddalingamadam plates from 944, he defeated the Cholas and captured Kanchi and Tanjore.
• In c. 949, he decisively defeated the Cholas in the battle of Takkolam in the North Arcot district. In these campaigns, Krishna III was aided by his Western Ganga feudatory Butuga II.
• Rajaditya Chola, the Chola prince, was killed "while seated on his elephant with a well-aimed arrow."
• According to the famous Atakur inscription, Krishna III rewarded Buthuga II with extensive Ratta territories near Banavasi in exchange for this victory.
• With the fall of the Cholas, he was able to extract tribute from the Pandyas and Kerala's Chera ruler.
• He also obtained the King of Ceylon's submission, extracted tributes from the Manadlika rulers, and erected a victory pillar at Ramesvaram.
• However, based on the location of the inscriptions, it is argued that Krishna III only had full control of Tondaimandalam because his inscriptions are not found further south in modern Tamil Nadu.
• Following these victories, he declared himself "Conqueror of Kacci and Tanjai" (Kanchi and Tanjore).
• He wielded power in Vengi (modern Andhra Pradesh) by assisting Badapa in securing the throne against his rival Amma II. Danarnava of Vengi later became his feudatory.

Northern Expedition

• While Krishna III concentrated his efforts in the southern Deccan, the Chandelas had taken Chitrakuta and Kalinjar.
• As a result, Krishna III dispatched his Western Ganga feudatory Marasimha, son of Buthuga II, to reclaim the lost areas. The Gurjara Prathiharas were defeated by Marasimha.
• The Jura record (near Jabalpur) in present-day Madhya Pradesh contains the Rashtrakutas' northernmost Kannada inscription, dated around 964. This inscription contains the specifics of these victories.
• Marasimha's forces destroyed Ujjayani, according to two inscriptions dated 965 CE and 968 CE (which lies in the Paramara territory of Malwa).
• At his peak, Krishna III ruled an empire that stretched from the Narmada River in the north to large parts of present-day northern Tamil Nadu in the south.
• In the northern Deccan and central India, his feudatories included the Prathihara, the Paramara, the Seuna (ruled by Vaddiga), and the northern Kalachuris.
• This animosity with the Tripuri's northern Kalachuris proved fatal to the empire near the end of his reign.
• Krishna III may have been rash in granting large fiefs (land grants) to his commanders.
• Tailapa II, his Chalukya feudatory, received the province of Tardavadi (present-day Bijapur district) from him sometime before 965. This proved to be the Rashtrakutas' undoing later on.

Conclusion

Krishnaraja III ruled at least until the year 966 CE. Krishnaraja's immediate younger brother Jagattunga had predeceased him, so the throne was passed down to the next brother, Khottiga. In C.E. 972, Siyaka II of the Paramara dynasty, the powerful king of Malwa, attacked and defeated Khottiga before plundering the capital Manyakheta. Khottiga was killed in this battle, as confirmed by Pushpadanta's book.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who succeeded Krishna III as the ruler of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty?

A) Indra IV
B) Amoghavarsha III
C) Dhruva II
D) Karka II

2. Which region did Krishna III target in his military campaigns during his reign?

A) The Deccan Plateau
B) The Chola territories
C) The northern plains
D) The Himalayan foothills

3. What was one of the key cultural contributions of Krishna III's reign?

A) Building the Qutub Minar
B) Patronizing literature and arts
C) Establishing universities
D) Promoting trade with the West

4. After Krishna III's death, which empire emerged as the dominant power in South India?

A) The Rashtrakutas
B) The Chalukyas
C) The Cholas
D) The Mauryas

5. What led to the downfall of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty after Krishna III’s reign?

A) Internal conflicts and administrative fragmentation
B) Foreign invasions
C) Decline in military power
D) The rise of the Gupta Empire

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the military and cultural achievements of Krishna III of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. How did these shape the history of medieval India?

Answer: Krishna III’s reign was marked by significant military achievements, particularly his campaigns against the Cholas, which culminated in the capture of the Chola capital, Thanjavur. Although the Rashtrakutas struggled to hold onto southern territories, this military success demonstrated their strength. Additionally, Krishna III was a patron of culture, supporting the arts, literature, and architecture. His reign saw the flourishing of religious structures like the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora, which remains a symbol of Rashtrakuta architectural excellence. These military and cultural contributions played a significant role in shaping the history of medieval India, with the Rashtrakutas’ influence being felt in both military and cultural spheres.

Q2: Examine the reasons for the decline of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty after Krishna III's death. What role did internal strife and external threats play?

Answer: After Krishna III’s death, the Rashtrakuta Dynasty experienced a sharp decline due to internal conflicts and external pressures. Internally, there was a lack of strong leadership, and the empire fragmented as regional rulers asserted their independence. The succession disputes further weakened the central authority. Externally, the rise of the Chola Empire, which had long been a rival, and the resurgence of the Chalukyas contributed to the decline of the Rashtrakuta hold over the Deccan. The combination of these internal and external factors led to the eventual collapse of the Rashtrakuta Empire.

Q3: Analyze Krishna III’s role in shaping the political landscape of South India during his reign. How did his policies affect the regional powers?

Answer: Krishna III played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of South India through his military campaigns and strategic alliances. His victory over the Cholas marked a significant moment in South Indian history, as it temporarily shifted the balance of power. However, despite his military prowess, Krishna III was unable to maintain lasting control over the southern territories, which weakened his influence after his death. His reign also saw the emergence of regional powers such as the Cholas and Chalukyas, who eventually eclipsed the Rashtrakutas in the region. Krishna III’s policies, though effective in the short term, did not prevent the fragmentation of his empire and the rise of new political forces in South India.

Previous Year Questions on Krishna III

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Who succeeded Krishna III as the ruler of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty?

A) Indra IV
B) Amoghavarsha III
C) Dhruva II
D) Karka II

Answer: (A)

Explanation: After Krishna III’s death, Indra IV succeeded him, but he was unable to preserve the empire’s power, leading to its decline.

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

Question: "Examine the contributions of Krishna III of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty to South Indian history. How did his military and cultural activities impact the region?"

Answer: Krishna III’s reign saw significant military victories, including the capture of Thanjavur, which temporarily shifted power dynamics in South India. His patronage of art and culture, particularly religious architecture, added to the cultural legacy of the Rashtrakutas. However, the challenges faced by his successors led to the eventual decline of the dynasty, setting the stage for the rise of the Cholas and Chalukyas.