8th century CE,

In the 8th century CE, Kolhapur entered a period of greater political significance and cultural development. While it was not yet a capital city, it became part of a rising imperial power — the Rashtrakuta Empire — and started evolving into an important center of religion and regional administration.

? 1. Rise of the Rashtrakuta Empire

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  The most significant political change in the 8th century was the emergence of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

  
  


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  Founded by Dantidurga (reign c. 735–756 CE), the Rashtrakutas defeated the Chalukyas of Badami and established control over large parts of the Deccan, including Kolhapur.

  
  


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  Kolhapur was strategically located on the route between the Konkan coast and the Deccan plateau — valuable for trade and military movement.

  
  

? 2. Rashtrakuta Control Over Kolhapur

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  Kolhapur was likely ruled by Rashtrakuta governors or feudatories, who managed land, collected taxes, and supported temples.

  
  


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  It began developing as a regional administrative and religious center during this time.

  
  


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  The Rashtrakutas were known for their tolerance of multiple religions — supporting Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Jainism.

  
  

? 3. Religious and Temple Activity

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  The Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur — now one of the most revered Shakti temples in India — likely existed in early form by this time.

  
  
  
  
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    Though the current structure is mostly from the 9th–12th centuries, the site was already sacred and receiving royal patronage.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Other smaller Shaiva and Jain temples may have been established in nearby areas.

  
  


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  Kolhapur’s religious status began to rise, laying the foundation for its future as a temple town.

  
  

? 4. Art, Architecture, and Inscriptions

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  The Rashtrakutas were prolific builders — famous for monuments like Ellora’s Kailasa Temple.

  
  


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  In Kolhapur and its vicinity, early temple foundations, sculpture fragments, and land grant inscriptions from this period have been discovered.

  
  


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  These are often in Sanskrit and written in Kannada or early Devanagari script.

  
  

? 5. Economy and Trade

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  The region continued to prosper agriculturally (especially rice and sugarcane).

  
  


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  Kolhapur’s position made it a hub in inland-coastal trade routes, especially to the Konkan ports and further to the Arabian Sea trade network.

  
  


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  Craftspeople and temple economies began playing a larger role.

  
  

? Summary: Kolhapur in the 8th Century CE