Buguta II (938–961 CE) became the ruler of the Western Ganga Dynasty after his elder brother Rachamalla III.
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In order to ascend the throne he had to first seek help from the Rashtrakutas who were hitherto their arch enemies. Butuga II first helped Amoghavarsha III regain many lost territories and in turn was helped by the Rashtrakuta ruler to overthrow Rachamalla III, the unpopular Ganga king at that time. This forged a strong relationship between the Gangas and the Rashtrakutas, an alliance that lasted till the end of both kingdoms. Butuga II became the son-in-law of Amoghavarsha III by marrying his daughter Revakanimmadi.
He also helped the Rashtrakutas defeat the Cholas in 949 in the Battle of Takkolam when he killed the Chola monarch Rajaditya. His Atagur inscription reveals how he treacherously murdered Rajaditya. Atakur or Atagur is a village about 15 miles N.E by E from Mandya , the head quarters of the Mandya taluk in Mysore district.[1] Here is an excerpt:
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..Butuga(II) while embracing Rajaditya, treacherously stabbed him with a dagger.[2] |
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Historian John Faithfull Fleet of Archaeological Survey of India (1894–1900) decisively says that pretended overtures of peace were made and that Rajaditya was stabbed at a meeting between him and Butuga.[2]
As a Rashtrakuta feudatory, he not only ruled Gangavadi but also many areas in the Malaprabha River basin and the Krishna River-Tungabhadra doab. Butuga II also took charge of the Banavasi region as a fief from Rashtrakuta Krishna III. He is said to have a defeated a Buddhist scholar in a religious discourse and the Kudlur record speaks of him as a noted poet.