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116 :: Aspects of Jaina Religion
progress of Jaina religion in Karnataka. Eventually Jaina religion became a popular religion in the Kadamba Empire. (ii) The Ganga Rulers
The Ganga Rulers (350 to 999 A.D.) of Talakāda in Karnātaka patronised Jaina religion to a great extent. In fact the Ganga kingdom itself was a virtual creation of the famous Jaina saint Achārya Simhanandi and naturally practically all Ganga monarchs championed the cause of Jainism. (iii) The Chālukya Rulers
During the reign of Chālukya Rulers of Bādāmi in Karnāțaka (500 to 757 A.D), the Jaina religion was more prominent and many Jaina Acharyas were patronised by Chālukya kings including Pudakesi II. (iv) The Rāstrakūta Rulers
Many of the Rāştrakūța emperors and their feudatories and officers were staunch Jainas and hence the period of Rāşțrakūțas of Malakheda in Karnāțaka (757 to 973 A.D.) is considered as the most glorious and flourishing period in the history of Jainism in the Deccan. (v) The Western Chālukya Rulers
From the 10th to the 12th century A.D. the Western Chālukya rulers of Kalyāni in Karnāṭaka regained their ascendency after the fall of the Rāșțrakūțas and preferred to show the same liberal attitude to Jainism which the Kadambas, the Gangas and the Ráştrakūtas had shown. (vi) The Hoyasala Rulers
The Hoyasala rulers during their reign from 1006 to 1345 A.D. over their kingdom of Halebid in Karnāțaka did strongly extend their support to Jaina religion. In fact like the earlier Ganga kingdom, the Hoyasala kingdom in the 11th century also owed its creation to a Jaina saint by name Achārya Sudatta. Further it has been specifically reported that many of the Hoyasala kings and their Generals extended their patronage to Jainism and that they very carefully looked after the interests of the Jainas.
