THE RASHTRAKUTAS:

The Rashratkutas were based in Deccan and produced remarkable warriors and rulers. The kingdom was founded by Dantidurga with capital at Manyakhet or Malkhed near modern Sholapur. They soon occupied the entire northern Maharashtra and in their territorial ambitions, came in conflict with the Pratihars for the dominance of Gujarat and Malwa.  The Rashtrakutas also fought constantly with the eastern Chalukyas, the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Pandyas of Madurai. Possibly, Gobinda III (and Amoghvarsh were the greatest rulers of this house. Amoghvarsh was a great scholar, who wrote the first Kannada book on poetics. However, the Rashtrakuta empire soon declined due to internal rebellions and was finally destroyed by their rivals in 972 AD. The Rashtrkutas were very tolerant people and allowed the Muslims to practice their faith despite the fact they were Hindus themselves.