Krishna III, the powerful ruler who defeated the Cholas at the Battle of Takkolam (949 CE), belonged to the:

Krishna III (ruled about 939-967 CE) was a powerful ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, with his capital at Manyakheta (Malkhed, in present-day Karnataka).

About Krishna III:

• He was the last great ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• He extended Rashtrakuta power deep into the south, and also campaigned in the north.
• His most famous victory was at the Battle of Takkolam (949 CE), near present-day Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu, where he defeated the Chola army.
• The Chola crown prince, Rajaditya, was killed on his elephant in this battle.
• After this victory, Krishna III occupied the northern part of the Chola kingdom, including Kanchi and Thanjavur, according to his inscriptions.
• He took the title "Kanchiyum Tanjaiyum Konda" ("conqueror of Kanchi and Thanjavur").
• He is also said to have set up a pillar of victory at Rameshwaram.
• He was a patron of Kannada literature; the great Kannada poet Ponna was at his court.

The decline of the Rashtrakutas:

• After Krishna III's death in 967, the Rashtrakuta kingdom declined quickly.
• In 972, the Paramara king Siyaka sacked Manyakheta.
• In 973, Tailapa II, a feudatory, overthrew the last Rashtrakuta ruler and founded the Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani (Later Western Chalukyas).

About the Rashtrakutas:

• They ruled the Deccan from the mid-8th to the late 10th century.
• They took part in the "tripartite struggle" with the Palas and the Pratiharas for control of Kannauj.
• They built the Kailasa temple at Ellora (under Krishna I).
• Amoghavarsha I was a famous ruler and patron of literature.

The Chola recovery:

The Cholas recovered their power later under Rajaraja I and Rajendra I.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Chalukyas of Kalyani rose after the Rashtrakutas.
• ✗Good to know
• ✗The Palas ruled Bengal and Bihar.
• ✗The Hoysalas ruled southern Karnataka later.