In the post-Mauryan period, the techniques of cloth-making, silk- weaving, and the manufacture of luxury articles developed. Mathura was a great center for the manufacture of a special type of cloth which was called shataka.
During the reign of Dhruva (c. 780 – 793 CE), the Rashtrakuta kingdom expanded into an empire that encompassed all of the territory between the Kaveri River and Central India. He led successful expeditions to Kannauj and defeated the King Nagabhatta II. He also defeated the Palas of Bengal (Dharmapala).