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  Who were  Samantas? Samantas were big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions of the Indian subcontinent during the seventh century. Existing kings often acknowledged them as their subordinates or vassals. They were expected to bring gifts for their kings or overlords, be present at their courts and provide them with military support. As samantas gained power and wealth, they declared themselves to be maha-samanta, or maha-mandaleshvara (the great lord of a “circle” or region) .  Sometimes they asserted their independence from their overlords. What is the meaning of maha-samanta? Maha-samanta is a title used by samantas to denote their increased power and wealth. The prefix “maha-” means “great” or “high,” so maha-samanta can be translated as “great samanta” or “high samanta .”  maha-mandaleshvara can be translated as “the great lord of a circle or region. Who are Rashtrakutas? The Rashtrakutas were a royal dynasty that ruled large parts of the Indian subcontin