9th century

In the 9th century CE, Kollapur remained a rural, agriculturally rich, and forest-covered region, but it likely became more integrated into the expanding Rashtrakuta Empire, one of the most powerful South Indian dynasties of that time. While no inscriptions or monuments from Kollapur itself are dated to the 9th century, we can piece together what was happening in the region based on broader political, religious, and cultural developments.

?️ What Likely Happened in Kollapur in the 9th Century CE:

?️ 1. Rashtrakuta Rule in the Deccan

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  The Rashtrakutas ruled much of peninsular India from their capital at Manyakheta (modern Malkhed in Karnataka).

  
  


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  Kings like Amoghavarsha I (ruled c. 814–878 CE) were renowned for their cultural and religious patronage.

  
  


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  Kollapur, located near the Krishna River and on the edge of Telangana, was likely part of a Rashtrakuta province or val territory.

  
  

⚔️ 2. Local Feudatories and Tribal Chieftains

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  The Rashtrakutas governed through feudatory lords (samantas).

  
  


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  Kollapur may have been ruled locally by a chieftain loyal to the Rashtrakutas, possibly from a tribal or semi-Hinduized background.

  
  


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  These rulers likely:

  
  
  
  
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    Collected taxes from agrarian villages

    
    
  
  
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    Maintained forest trade routes

    
    
  
  
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    Protected shrines or pilgrimage paths

    
    
  
  
  
  

? 3. Agrarian Prosperity and Forest Life

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  Agriculture was likely thriving, supported by:

  
  
  
  
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    Proximity to the Krishna River

    
    
  
  
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    Forest and animal-based economy (honey, herbs, timber)

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Villages in Kollapur may have grown in size and begun adopting more organized landholding systems.

  
  

? 4. Religious Landscape: Hindu Temples Emerging

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  The Rashtrakutas were patrons of Shaivism and Jainism.

  
  


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  In Kollapur, local shrines may have started being converted from wooden or earthen structures to stone or brick.

  
  


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  Worship of Shiva, Vishnu, and folk deities would have continued and possibly expanded under royal influence.

  
  

?️ 5. No Monumental Architecture Yet

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  The famous temples of Kollapur, such as the Madhava Swamy Temple, were built much later (12th–14th centuries).

  
  


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  However, 9th-century Kollapur may have seen:

  
  
  
  
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    Small temples or shrines

    
    
  
  
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    Carved stone lingas

    
    
  
  
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    River-based rituals and festivals