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JAINS AND VIJIANAGAR. 117 but supported them. Even foreign rulers such as Hyder Naik granted villages to the Jain temples, though, owing to the oppressive natåre of the Government, the great festivals at Sravana Belgola and other places were stopped.' The Hoysala power lasted to 1326 A.D., when Patronage
of Jainisnu by the dynasty was overthrown by Mahomedans. the Kingdom
of Vijaya. Out of the disorder and anarchy that arose out nagiem. of Mahomedan rule, the Hindu kingdoni of Vijayanagar arose. Not that Jainism expected a great revival under the aegis of Hindu rulers of South India'who were most of them controlled in their state policy by the Brahmins. But it is pleasing to note that the kings of Vijayanagar never persecuted the Jains. On the other hand, evidences tend to show that they patronised the Jains in a way. Take, for example, the famous Jain-Vaishnava compact of the time of Bukkarāva, 1353 A.D. to 1377 A.D. The reconciliation was effected in this way.. After summoning the leaders of both sects, lie declared that, as no difference existed between the two sects, they should remain friends. Then, taking the hand of the Jains and placing it in the hands of the Vaishnavas, he gave the injunction that each should pursue his religious practices with perfect freedom. The Sri Vaishnavas were further ordered to get engraved on stone this decree in all the temples throughout the kingdom. “ As long as the Sun and Moon endure, the Vaishnava
1 Asintic Researches, Vol. IX, Ch. 4.
