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Historical Role of Jainism
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1253 A. D. All these Jaina Basadis are not traceable at present, though we have recorded evidence about them. However, this recorded evidence is enough to show a flourishing state of Jainism in Andhra during the 11th and 13th centuries under the hegamony of the Chāļukya-Choļas.
Besides, Bhogapuram in the Visakhapatnam district became a flourishing Jaina centre under the patronage of the Kaļinga Gangas. It is obvious from a record of Bhogapuram that a certain merchant Kunnamanāyaka built a Räjarāja Jainalaya in A. D. 1178 and endowed it with a gift of land during the reign of Anantavarman Rājarājadeva. Thus, it leads to the conclusion that the king was a patron of Jainism and extended necessary financial help in the construction of Jainālaya which was christened after his own name.
Thus, patronised by the rulers and members of royal families and warmly supported by the populalce, Jainism grew from strength to strength and finally became a victim of religious persecution and was at least completely stumped out from the surface of Andhra during the period of Muslim invasions.
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