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Jaina Temple Architecture: South India
and a formidable army of Cola Rajendra I from the south. Although he succeeded in defeating the confederate army, he could not check the Colas from sacking Malkhed. During the reigns of these rulers Jainism flourished well in Karnataka. This is clearly evident from the royal patronage rendered to Jainācārya Vadiraja by Jayasimha and by the foundation of the Pārsvanatha temple at Śravanabelagola and the Jaina temple No. 1 at Mulgund.
After Jayasimha II his son Someśvara I (A.D. 1042-1067) ascended the throne. He fought three battles with Cola Rajadhiraja and each time sustained a defeat. In A.D. 1054-55 Someśvara alongwith Cedi Karna and Caulukya Bhima I attacked the Malava capital of Dhārā and in the battle that ensued the Malava king Bhoja lost his life. Jainism continued to flourish during this period. This is demonstrated not only by a number of grants made to Jaina temples but also by the extant Jaina temples located at Ron, Nagai and Lakkundi.
Someśvara I was succeeded by his son Someśvara II (A.D. 1068-1076) and the latter by his brother Vikramaditya VI (c. A.D. 1076-1127). Soon after his accession Someśvara had to deal with his brother who had turned hostile to him. He was successful to hold the rein of power for some time but at last lost it to him. Vikramaditya VI was a powerful king. He suppressed the hostility of his younger brother Jayasimha III and put down the revolts of his vassal chiefHoysala Visnuvardhana of Dorasamudra, Kadamba Vijayaditya of Goa, Yadava Iramadeva of Seunadeśa and Silahāra Bhoja of Karahaṭaka. During the long reigns of these rulers Jainism received full support from the generals and traders and had many flourishing centres in Karnataka with Jaina temples - Virabhadra temple at Lakkundi, the ruined Jaina temple at Annigere, Trikūta-basadi at Harasur, the Pañcalingeśvara at Huli, the Caranti-matha at Aihole, and Sankha-basadi and Anantanatha-basadi at Lakṣmeśvara.
Vikramaditya VI was succeeded by his son Someśvara III (A.D. 1127-1139) from whose reign the
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Calukya power began to crack. During the reigns of the next two rulers, viz. Jagadekamalla (A.D. 11391149) and Taila III (A.D. 1149-1162), the Calukya power further declined. In A.D. 1189 the whole of Calukya kingdom was occupied by Bhillama, the vassal chief under Someśvara IV, son of Taila III, and Someśvara had to take refuge in the Kadamba capital of Goa. During this period Jainism considerably suffered from the upsurgency of the Saiva fundamentalists who persecuted the Jainas, destroyed their temples, mutilated the Jina images and converted Jaina temples into Śaiva. Under these circumstances one cannot expect a Jaina foundation, a fact substantiated by the non-availability of a Jaina shrine.
The Gangas of Talkad (c. A.D. 900-1000) - The Gangas ruled from their capital at Talkad in southern Karnataka. They came into prominence when Racamalla II (A.D. 870-907) fought a battle with the Calukyas of Vengi. Racamalla was succeeded by Nitimärga II (A.D. 907-935), son of his brother Butuga I, who consolidated his empire. Nītimärga was followed by his three sons Narasimha, Racamalla III and Būtuga II respectively. The first of these ruled for a short period and the second was ousted by Būtuga (A.D. 937-960). Bütuga II was an important ruler of the dynasty as he married a Rāṣṭrakūta princess, daughter of Amoghavarṣa III, and assisted Räṣṭrakuța Kṛṣṇa III against the Colas. Būtuga II was succeeded by his son Murula (A.D. 961963) and the latter by his younger brother Märasimha II (A.D. 963-974). Marasimha II defeated the Nolambas and captured their Ucchangi fort. He was succeeded by his son Racamalla IV (A.D. 974 1000) during whose reign the Colas of Tanjaur overran Talkad and annexed the Ganga territory in the Cola empire.
On account of the active support of the Gangas Jainism flourished well in their kingdom. Bütuga II was proficient in Jaina doctrine. Mārasimha II turned a Jaina and founded Jaina temples at Purigere and Annigere which do not exist now. Camuṇḍaraya, the minister of Marasimha II, made the colossus of Bahubali at
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