Indra III
| Indra III | |
|---|---|
| Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Shri-prithvi-vallabha Nithyavarsha Raja-marthanda Ratta-kandarapa Kirthi-narayana | |
| Rashtrakuta Emperor | |
| Reign | c. 914 – c. 929 |
| Coronation | 24th February 915 Kurundaka, Rashtrakuta Empire |
| Predecessor | Krishna II |
| Successor | Amoghavarsha II |
| Born | Unknown Manyakheta, Rashtrakuta Empire (modern day Karnataka, India) |
| Died | c. 929 CE Manyakheta, Rashtrakuta Empire (modern day Karnataka, India) |
| Consort | Vijambha |
| Issue | Amoghavarsha II Govinda IV |
| Father | Jagattunga |
| Mother | Lakshmi |
| Religion | Jainism[1][2] |
Indra III (reigned 914–929 CE) was the grandson of Rashtrakuta Emperor Krishna II and son of Chedi princess Lakshmi. He ascended the imperial throne after the early demise of his father Jagattunga.[3] He had many titles such as Nithyavarsha, Rattakandarapa, Rajamarathanda and Kirthinarayana. He patronised Kannada Jain poet and commander Sri Vijaya[4][5] and Sanskrit poet Trivikrama. Indra III was married to princess Vijamba of the Kalachuri dynasty of central India (Chedi).
Capture of Kannauj
[edit]Immediately after coming to power, Indra III had to fight a Paramara ruler, a feudatory of the Gurjara-Pratihara and routed him out of Govardhana near Nasik. Thereafter the Paramaras became feudatories of the Rashtrakutas.[6] The Gurjara Pratihara ruler Mahendrapala I was experiencing some family feuds and this gave Indra III an opportunity to attack Kannauj in the Ganges - Yamuna doab.[7] Kannauj at this time was under the control of the Pratihara empire. From the writings of Kannada poet Adikavi Pampa it is known that Indra III sent his feudatory, Chalukya king Narasimha II of Vemulavada, in pursuit of Mahipala I the incumbent Pratihara emperor who fled the area.[8][9] Kannauj was "completely destroyed", and the Pratihara ruler weakened.[10] The northern campaign of Indra III produced more dramatic results then during the rule of Dhruva Dharavarsha and Govinda III as the Rashtrakutas were actually able to hold Kannauj until c. 916.[11]
Trouble in Vengi
[edit]A civil war like situation prevailed in Vengi after the defeat of Eastern Chalukya Bhima at the hands of Baddega, a Rashtrakuta feudatory from Vemulavada. A period of intense politics continued when the Rashtrakutas tried to install the king of their choice in Vengi. Indra III's Jain general Sri Vijaya (who was also a poet) won may wars for his emperor in the eastern Deccan and the bulk of Vengi was brought under the rule of Indra III for a few years.[12]
Religion
[edit]Indra III continued the Rashtrakuta dynasty’s well-documented tradition of strong Jain patronage.[13] The dynasty is renowned for its sustained support of Jain monks, temples, and scholars across the Deccan region.[14] During Indra III’s reign, Jain institutions benefited from royal encouragement, reflecting the deep ties between the Rashtrakuta rulers and Jainism established by earlier kings like Amoghavarsha I.[15] He also strengthened dynastic ties with the Kalachuris of Tripuri—known for their Jain patronage—through marriage to a Kalachuri princess.[16] Notably, Indra III's court included the famous Jain general and poet Sri Vijaya, who contributed significantly to the literary culture of the time.[17][18]
References
[edit]- ^ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
- ^ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.
- ^ From the Sangli, Karhad, Deoli and Bagumra inscriptions (Kamath (2001), p80)
- ^ Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta (1955). A History of South India. Oxford University Press. p. 220.
- ^ Rice, E.P. (1921). A History of Kannada Literature. Oxford University Press. pp. 40–41.
- ^ Kamath (2001), p80
- ^ From the Cambay plates (Kamath 2001, p80)
- ^ From the notes of Adikavi Pampa; "Mahipala fled as if struck by lightning" and "Chalukya Narasimha bathed his horses in the Ganges river" (Kamath, 2001, p81)
- ^ From the copper plate grant of his son Govinda IV (Reu1933, p78)
- ^ Sen, S.N., (2013), p21, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, ISBN 9789380607344
- ^ A.S. Altekar in Kamath 2001, p80
- ^ Kamath (2001), p81
- ^ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
- ^ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.
- ^ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.
- ^ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
- ^ Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta (1955). A History of South India. Oxford University Press. p. 220.
- ^ Rice, E.P. (1921). A History of Kannada Literature. Oxford University Press. pp. 40–41.
Bibliography
[edit]- 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.
- Reu, Pandit Bisheshwar Nath (1997) [1933]. History of The Rashtrakutas (Rathodas). Jaipur: Publication scheme. ISBN 81-86782-12-5.