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Dantidurga (reigned 753–756 CE), also known as Dantivarman II was the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire of Manyakheta.Reu (1933), p54 His capital was based in Kalburgi region of Karnataka. His successor was his uncle Krishna I who extended his kingdom to all of Karnataka.
The Ellora record of Dantidurga narrates that he defeated the Chalukyas in 753 and took the titles Rajadhiraja and Parameshvara. The inscription calls him son of Indra II. The Samangad inscription (modern Kolhapur district, Maharashtra) states his mother was a Chalukyan princess from Gujarat called Bhavanaga. The same inscription states he defeated the infinite and invincible Karnataka-Bala (Karnataka army) of the Badami Chalukyas.Kamath (2001), p74He defeated the great Karnatik army of the Chalukyas, (Reu, 1933 p54) Further he defeated the kings of Lata (Gujarat), Malwa, Tanka, Kalinga and Sheshas (Nagas) in central India and performed many sacrifices.Reu (1933), p55 Though he conquered the Chalukyan Empire, it is clear from the Vakkaleri inscription of 757 that the Chalukyan Emperor Kirtivarman II retained control over his southern provinces up to the year 757. His daughter was married to a Pallava King Nandivarman II of Kanchi. Dantidurga helped Nandivarman recover Kanchi by warring against the Chalukyas.Thapar (2003), p333
The Navasari grant (c.739) throws light on his achievements in the era prior to Rashtrakuta independence. The Arab intention might have been to make inroads into South India. However, to the south of the Mahi River lay the powerful empire. The Chalukya victory at Navsari, Avanijanashraya Pulakeshi, decisively defeated the invading Arab forces as documented in the grant. The Tājika (Arab) army defeated was one that had attacked "Kacchella, Saindhava, Saurashtra, Cavotaka, Maurya and Gurjara" kings. Viceroy Pulakesi subsequently received the titles "Solid Pillar of Deccan Plateau" ( Dakshināpatha-sādhāra) and the "Repeller of the Unrepellable" ( Anivartaka-nivartayitr). The Rashtrakuta prince Dantidurga, who was subsidiary to Chalukyas at this time, also played an important role in the battle.; ; ; ; ; ; Dantidurga was a clever diplomat but at the same time used military power to expand his empire's boundaries. By 750 AD Dantidurga had brought Madhya Pradesh and Southern Gujarat under his control.
The Rashtrakutas, despite their strong Jain leanings, were noted for their patronage of multiple faiths, including Vaishnavism and Shaivism. Many of their inscriptions begin by specifying the temple or religious institution to which the grant or donation is being made, rather than invoking a single deity. During Rashtrakuta reign, Jain scholors, kannada poets, monks, temples, and Jain religious institutions flourished. Inscriptions from their period record land grants and temple endowments made to Jain monks and communities.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. The Many historians opinion that Rashtrakutas Deeply influenced by Jainism but also worshiped Hindu gods and goddesses; although some of them are regarded as celestial demi-Gods by Jains as well.Kamath (2001), p.91Chopra et al. (1993), p.91
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