Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs

SR No.: 011025
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P B Desai
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 495
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

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JAINISM IN SOUTH INDIA
The following illustrations will elucidate the topic. Śravana Belgola Nos. 126, 128 and 129 are engraved on three different pillars of one and the same temple. Dated in Saka 1037, 1044 and 1042 respectively, they record the death of three distinguished persons and the setting up of their Nishidhis. Since there seems to be little possibility to hold the view that the three persons died at one and the same spot, or otherwise, that their mortal relics were brought over from different places and buried there collectively and a temple erected over them, we have to conclude as indicated above that their Nishidhis constituted simply the memorials of nominal association. We may also study in this connection Sravana Belgola Nos. 254 and 258 which also stand forth as typical instances of the class of Nishidhis under discussion. Śravana Belgola No. 163 is an interesting illustration. Engraved on a Manastambha, it records the death of three individuals. Śravana Belgola Nos. 362
and 389 are incised near two detached structures which are referred to therein as samadhi maṇṭapas. Instances wherein the inscriptions themselves recording the death of a person are referred to as Nishidhis are found in the following epigraphs from Śravana Belgola; Nos. 168, 272, 273, etc. I do not know if we should call such Nishidhi memorials as nominal or spiritual Nishidhis.
GEOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
The epigraphs under study contain references to places and areas of geographical interest. Dhāra, the capital of Malwa, the river Gōdāvari (wrongly for Narmada) and Kōṭitirtha, which belong to the parts of India outside the Karnataka province, are mentioned in No. 2. The Kuntala country which roughly represented the area of Karnataka, figures in No. 7. Alande Thousand and Ededore Two Thousand which comprised two of the major territorial divisions of the Karnataka province, are referred to in Nos. 2 and 48 respectively. A small tract within Alande Thousand was called Gonka's Territory comprising an area of 120 villages. It was further divided into a smaller unit of 60 villages and placed under a feudatory chief (No. 2). Aral Three Hundred comprising a small district figures in Nos. 1 and 7. Another district of about the same extent known as Mirinte Nadu is introduced in Nos. 9 and 11. A small sub-division of Belvala named Kukkanur Thirty is mentioned in No. 46. Reverting to individual places, Jayantipura is referred to in Nos. 9 and 17. Pottalakere is met with in No. 7. No. 50 contains an allusion to Erambarage. Kuvalalapura is referred to in No. 48. Kopana figures in Nos. 26, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 53. Gutti is mentioned in No. 47.
Of the one thousand villages in the province of Alande Thousand we know, besides Alande, the names of seven villages from No. 2. They are Hadangile, two Melakundes (one big and another small), Manali, Kolanür, Belaguppa and Mulavalli. Proceeding to the district of Aral Three Hundred