Before the Rashtrakutas forged their empire, the Deccan plateau was the domain of the powerful Chalukyas of Vatapi (Badami). The Rashtrakutas, a family of Kannada-speaking chieftains, served as their loyal and high-ranking feudatories, governing territories from a place called Lattalura (modern Latur). They were seasoned administrators and skilled warriors, learning the arts of war and governance in the service of their imperial masters. The origins of the Rashtrakutas as feudatories of the Chalukyas placed them in a perfect position to observe the empire's strengths and, crucially, its weaknesses, awaiting the right moment to strike.
The imperial destiny of the Rashtrakutas was realized by the ambitious chieftain, Dantidurga. Around 753 CE, sensing weakness in the Chalukyan rule, he launched a brilliant military campaign, decisively defeating the Chalukyan king Kirtivarman II. To legitimize his transition from a subordinate to a sovereign, Dantidurga performed the great "Hiranyagarbha" ritual, a ceremony through which he was symbolically "reborn" as a Kshatriya. The overthrow of the Chalukyas by Dantidurga was a stunning coup, establishing the Rashtrakutas as the new masters of the Deccan.
A day in the life of a great Rashtrakuta emperor, like Amoghavarsha I, at the magnificent capital city of Manyakheta (Malkhed) was one of imperial grandeur and intellectual pursuit. Mornings were for statecraft, receiving tribute from vassal kings from across India and meeting with ambassadors. The Rashtrakutas encouraged commerce, and the king would have overseen matters of trade. A significant part of the day was also dedicated to religious and philosophical patronage, with the court hosting and debating with the greatest Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist scholars of the age, reflecting the cosmopolitan and tolerant atmosphere of the Rashtrakuta capital.
For the common person, life was organized around the village, which functioned as a largely autonomous unit. Village councils, led by a headman, managed local affairs and administered justice. The empire was prosperous, supported by a flourishing agricultural economy and extensive trade, both inland and maritime. The decentralized village administration under the Rashtrakutas allowed for a stable and resilient society, capable of weathering the constant military campaigns of their ambitious emperors.
The royal cuisine would have been based on the diverse agricultural produce of the Deccan plateau. Jowar, cotton, and pulses were major crops, alongside rice. The diet would have been rich and varied. Given the strong patronage for Jainism, especially under Amoghavarsha, it is likely that sophisticated vegetarian cuisine was highly developed in the Rashtrakuta court, existing alongside the traditional meat dishes of a Kshatriya warrior aristocracy.
The legal system was practical and decentralized. While the king and his officers served as the highest judicial authority, most disputes were settled at the local level by the village councils or trade guilds. The law was based on tradition, custom, and the prevailing Dharmashastras. Inscriptions show a system where justice was accessible and geared towards maintaining social harmony within the self-governing communities that formed the bedrock of the empire. The autonomy of village councils in judicial matters was a key feature of Rashtrakuta governance.
The Rashtrakuta emperors were remarkable for their broad-minded religious patronage. They did not adhere to a single state religion. While their dynastic emblem often related to Shiva, rulers lavishly supported all major faiths. Krishna I built the great Kailasa temple to Shiva. Amoghavarsha I was a devout Jain, and the dynasty also endowed Buddhist monasteries. This patronage of Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism by the Rashtrakuta kings fostered a climate of religious tolerance and intellectual cross-pollination.
The ultimate "festival" of the Rashtrakutas was an act of creation that took decades: the carving of the Kailasa temple at Ellora. This was not a festival of procession but of dedication, marking the completion of different parts of this monolithic marvel. Commissioned by Krishna I, it is the world's largest single-rock excavation. The construction of the Kailasa temple at Ellora was a monumental act of faith, an engineering wonder, and a permanent celebration of the god Shiva, showcasing the dynasty's immense power, wealth, and piety.