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Soon Ajätashatru was followed by the Nanda dynasty (413-322 B.C.). King Nanda I led a conquering expedition into Kalinga and brought an idol of the first Jain Tirthankar Bhagawan Rishabhadev. The Nanda dynasty was followed by the Maurya dynasty. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 B.C.), the founder of the Maurya dynasty, abdicated the throne and joined the Jain migration to the South led by Acharya Bhadrabähu. Before his conversion to Buddhism, emperor Ashok (273-236 B.C.) grandson of Chandragupta Maurya embraced Jainism. Emperor Ashok was responsible for introducing Jainism into Kashmir. Emperor Samprati, the grandson and successor of Ashok, is regarded as a strong Jain for his eminent patronage and efforts in spreading Jainism in east India. Like Magadha, the kingdom of Kalinga or Orissa had been a Jain stronghold from the very beginning. Jainism made its way to south India through Kalinga. In the second century B.C. Kalinga was the center of a powerful empire ruled over by Kharavela who was one of the greatest royal patrons of the Jain faith. Jainism had its influence in Bengal also. Even now, Jain relics, inscriptions, and idols are found in different parts of Bengal. Even the name 'Vardhamän' is given to one district in Bengal. The influence of Jainism on the customs, manners, and religions of Bengal is very much visible even at present. Jainism in South India Jainism entered into Karnataka and south India during the days of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya when Bhadrabähu, the distinguished leader of Jains and the last of the Jain saints known as Shruta Kevalis, led the migration of the Jain Sangha to the South after predicting twelve years of famine in north India. Thus, it is stated that Jain history in the South commences from the 3rd Century B.C. According to all Jain authors, the Nirvana of Acharya Bhadrabahu took place in 297 B.C. at Shravan-Belgola. Bhadrabahu was in fact the rejuvenator of Jainism in south India. Some historians believe that Jainism had reached south India long before Shruta-kevali Bhadrabähu. In any case, Jainism prevailed in south India in 3rd Century B.C and it continued as a popular faith for more than one thousand years and still has significant following there. It is significant to note that up to the 14th century A.D. Jainism played an important role in the history of South India. A few monarchs of the Kadamba rulers of Banaväsi (from the 3rd to the 6th Century AD.) were devout Jains, who were responsible for the gradual progress of the Jain religion in Karnataka. Eventually Jainism became a popular religion in the Kadamba Empire. The Ganga Rulers (350 to 999 A.D.) of Talakada in Karnataka patronized the Jain religion to a great extent and naturally, practically all Ganga monarchs championed the cause of Jainism. Chalukya Rulers of Badami in Karnataka (500 to 757 A.D.) and Rästrakutas of Malakhed in Karnataka (757 to 973 A.D) were pro-Jain. From the 10th to the 12th century A.D. the Western Chalukya rulers of Kalyan in Karnataka preferred to show the same liberal attitude to Jainism, which the Kadambas, the Gangas, and the Rästrakutas had shown. The Hoyasala rulers, during their reign from 1006 to 1345 A.D. over their kingdom of Halebid in Karnataka, strongly extended their support to Jainism. In addition to these major dynasties and their rulers, it has been emphasized that the Kalachuri rulers (from 1156 to 1183 A.D.) of Kalyan were Jains and naturally in their time, Jainism was the state religion. There were several minor rulers who also professed and promoted Jainism. There are also traces of Jain prevalence in Andhra and Tamilnadu. The whole of south India consisting of Deccan, Karnataka, Andhra, and Tamilnadu was a great stronghold of Jains, especially Digambar Jains, for more than one thousand years. Apart from the provincial capitals, Shravanbelgola in Karnataka was the center of their activities and it occupies the same position up to the present day. Jainism, however, began to decline in south India from the 12th century due to the growing importance of Srivaisnavism and Virasaivism. Jain monks were opposed, brutalized and even killed in southern India, during clashes with Hindus. Jainism in West India Jainism had very close relations in state of Gujarat. That is where we find the largest concentration of Jains at present. Here on Mount Girnar in the Junagadh district, Bhagawan Neminäth, the 22nd Tirthankar, attained salvation. Here, in the council of Jain ascetics held at Vallabhi 980 years after
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