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.[From the Sangli, Karhad, Deoli and Bagumra inscriptions (Kamath (2001), p80)] He had many titles such as Nithyavarsha, Rattakandarapa, Rajamarathanda and Kirthinarayana. He patronised Kannada Jain poet and commander Sri Vijaya[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.] and Sanskrit poet Trivikrama. Indra III was married to princess Vijamba of the Kalachuri dynasty of central India (Chedi).
Capture of Kannauj
Immediately after coming to power, Indra III had to fight a
Paramara dynasty ruler, a feudatory of the Gurjara-Pratihara and routed him out of Govardhana near
Nasik. Thereafter the
Paramara dynasty became feudatories of the Rashtrakutas.
[Kamath (2001), p80] 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.
[From the Cambay plates (Kamath 2001, p80)] 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.
[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)] Kannauj was "completely destroyed", and the Pratihara ruler weakened.
[Sen, S.N., (2013), p21, A Textbook of Medieval Indian History, Delhi: Primus Books, ] 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 .
[A.S. Altekar in Kamath 2001, p80]
Trouble in Vengi
A civil war like situation prevailed in Vengi after the defeat of
Eastern Chalukya Bhima at the hands of
Baddega I, 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.
[Kamath (2001), p81]
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.
[Nityavarṣa – Epigraphia Indica Vol 32, pp. 78–79; Jaina Monuments of Andhra, pp. 34–35.][Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.] The dynasty is renowned for its sustained support of Jain monks, temples, and scholars across the Deccan region.
[Desai, P.B. (1957). Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs. Sholapur: Jaina Samshodhana Sangha.] Historian Suryanatha Kamath claims the Rashtrakuta rulers Despite their strong Jain leanings, also supported
Hinduism[Kamath (2001), p.91]
His reign oversaw flourishing "Jain tirthas" in Andhra and Karnataka, as evidenced by active devotional and endowment practices toward Jain shrines.[Jaina Monuments of Andhra, pp. 34–35.] He also strengthened dynastic ties with the Kalachuris of Tripuri—known for their Jain patronage—through marriage to a Kalachuri princess.[Altekar, A.S. (1934). The Rashtrakutas and Their Times. Poona: Oriental Book Agency.] Notably, Indra III's court included the famous Jain general and poet Sri Vijaya, who contributed significantly to the literary culture of the time.[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.]
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