Dhruva Dharavarsha
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Dhruva (780-793) C.E. was one of the ablest of the Rashtrakuta rulers and had ascended the throne after replacing his elder brother Govinda II. Govinda II had become unpopular among his subjects on account of his various misconducts and demeanors as a ruler, including excessive indulgence in sensual pleasure. This is evident from the Karhad plates of Krishna III. The Garugadahalli inscription of 782 proclaims Dhruva the emperor. Though some historians claim that Druva revolted and grabbed the throne, historians Dr. P.B. Desai and K.V. Subrahmanya Aiyar feel the transtion of the throne from Govinda II to Dhruva Dharavarsha was peaceful and may have happened willingly. He earned titles like Kalivallabha, Srivallabha and Dharavarsha and hence the title Druva Dharavarsha.
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[edit] Success in north and east
Dhruva Dharavarsha had a high level of political aspiration and he actively pursued the goal of expanding the frontiers of Rashtrakuta domination. In north India, he subjugated the might of the rulers of Kannauj and annexed their territories to his kingdom. In central India, he defeated the Gurjara Prathihara and also Dharmapala of the Pala Dynasty of Bengal (who was eager to rule Kannauj) in a battle in the Ganga - Yamuna doab. However, these great victories according to historian Dr. Altekar brought him no permanent land gains but only the lot of material gain and fame.
[edit] Victories in the Deccan and South
He humbled Vishnuvardhana IV, an Eastern or Vengi Chalukyan king in 784 and forged an alliance by marrying his daughter named Silabhattarika as per the Jetvai grant of 786. Thereafter, he defeated Shivamara II, the Western Ganga Dynasty ruler of Gangavadi, and imprisoned him and appointed his own son, Prince Kambarasa as the governor. He also forced Pallava Nandivarman to accept the suzerainty of Rashtrakuta who payed him handsomely with many elephants. He undertook campaigns to Kanchi in 785 and again against the Western Ganga Dynasty in 788.
[edit] All India power
During his reign, Rashtrakutas emerged as a truly all-India power, controlling large regions across the Indian subcontinent, says Dr. Altekar. He was succeeded by his third son, Govinda III (793-814) whose reign was also marked by brilliant military success and exploits.
[edit] References
- Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, Concise History of Karnataka, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (reprint 2002)
- Nilakanta Sastri, K.A. (1955). A History of South India, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002)
[edit] External link
| Preceded by Govinda II |
King of the Rashtrakuta dynasty 780–793 |
Succeeded by Govinda III |
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