 Scholars however concur that the rulers of the imperial dynasty in the 8th to 10th century made the Kannada language as important as Sanskrit . Rashtrakuta inscriptions use both Kannada and Sanskrit ( historians Sheldon Pollock and Jan Houben claim they are mostly in Kannada ) , and the rulers encouraged literature in both languages . The earliest existing Kannada literary writings are credited to their court poets and royalty . Though these Rashtrakutas were Kannadigas , they were conversant in a northern Deccan language as well . 
