Indra III

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Indra III
Maharajadhiraja
Parameshvara
Shri-prithvi-vallabha
Nithyavarsha
Raja-marthanda
Ratta-kandarapa
Kirthi-narayana
Rashtrakuta Emperor
Reignc. 914 – c. 929
Coronation 24 February 915 [1] , Kurundaka
Predecessor Krishna II
Successor Amoghavarsha II
Born Manyakheta, Rashtrakuta Empire (modern day Karnataka, India)
Diedc. 929
Manyakheta, Rashtrakuta Empire (modern day Karnataka, India)
ConsortVijambha
Issue Amoghavarsha II
Govinda IV
FatherJagattunga
MotherLakshmi
Religion Jainism [2] [3]

Indra III (died 929) was the Rashtrakuta emperor from 914 until his death in 929. He was the grandson of Krishna II and son of Chedi princess Lakshmi. He ascended the imperial throne after the early demise of his father Jagattunga. [4] He had many titles such as Nithyavarsha, Rattakandarapa, Rajamarathanda and Kirthinarayana. He patronised Kannada Jain poet and commander Sri Vijaya [5] [6] and Sanskrit poet Trivikrama. Indra III was married to princess Vijamba of the Kalachuri dynasty of central India (Chedi).

Contents

Capture of Kannauj

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. [7] 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. [8] 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. [9] [10] Kannauj was "completely destroyed", and the Pratihara ruler weakened. [11] 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. [12]

Trouble in Vengi

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. [13]

Religion

Indra III is prominently recognized as a patron of Jainism. According to inscriptions, he commissioned a stone pedestal for Basadis and supported Jain monastic institutions through grants and temple patronage. [14] [15] The dynasty is renowned for its sustained support of Jain monks, temples, and scholars across the Deccan region. [16] Historian Suryanatha Kamath claims the Rashtrakuta rulers Despite their strong Jain leanings, also supported Hinduism [17]

His reign oversaw flourishing "Jain tirthas" in Andhra and Karnataka, as evidenced by active devotional and endowment practices toward Jain shrines. [18] He also strengthened dynastic ties with the Kalachuris of Tripuri—known for their Jain patronage—through marriage to a Kalachuri princess. [19] Notably, Indra III's court included the famous Jain general and poet Sri Vijaya, who contributed significantly to the literary culture of the time. [20] [21]

References

  1. ↑ Reu, Bisheshwar Nath. "History of the Rāshṭrakūṭas" (PDF). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  2. ↑ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
  3. ↑ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.
  4. ↑ From the Sangli, Karhad, Deoli and Bagumra inscriptions (Kamath (2001), p80)
  5. ↑ Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta (1955). A History of South India. Oxford University Press. p. 220.
  6. ↑ Rice, E.P. (1921). A History of Kannada Literature. Oxford University Press. pp. 40–41.
  7. ↑ Kamath (2001), p80
  8. ↑ From the Cambay plates (Kamath 2001, p80)
  9. ↑ 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)
  10. ↑ From the copper plate grant of his son Govinda IV (Reu1933, p78)
  11. ↑ Sen, S.N., (2013), p21, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, ISBN   9789380607344
  12. ↑ A.S. Altekar in Kamath 2001, p80
  13. ↑ Kamath (2001), p81
  14. ↑ Nityavarṣa – Epigraphia Indica Vol 32, pp. 78–79; Jaina Monuments of Andhra, pp. 34–35.
  15. ↑ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
  16. ↑ Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.
  17. ↑ Kamath (2001), p.91
  18. ↑ Jaina Monuments of Andhra, pp. 34–35.
  19. ↑ Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.
  20. ↑ Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta (1955). A History of South India. Oxford University Press. p. 220.
  21. ↑ Rice, E.P. (1921). A History of Kannada Literature. Oxford University Press. pp. 40–41.

Bibliography

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