Jain Digest 1988 02 Vol 11 No 05

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 23

AMATYA GANGARAJA PREMIERE & COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF HOYSALA DYNASTY 1108-1142
- Prof.C.R.Rangaswamiah
University of Mysore, India
Amatya Gangaraja, the able minister and general of the Hoysala king (1108 -1142) in Karnataka, successfully fought against two powerful neighbours, the Cholas and the Chalukyas. A series of nearly fifty inscriptions at Halebid on Vijaya Parshvanath monument built by Gangaraja's son Poppa Dandanayaka reveal a lot about Gangaraja's splendid carrer.
To liberate Gangavadi province from the clutches of the Cholas and their domination, Gangaraja was entrusted with the supreme command. Adiyama, the Chola governor of Cangavadi, when refused to surrender on seize by Hoysala army, Gangaraja marched against the enemy and a severe battle took place at Talkad in 1114 A.D. and the Chola army was completely defeated. In honour of this victory, the king granted Bindiganavole village to Gangaraja.
Several inscriptions bear bold exploit of Gangaraja in this battle. At Talakad when the two armies met, Adiyama was defeated and ran away as if in a race and the other Chola officer, Tigula Dama turned his back in the battle field, escaped and took refuge in the forest. Another epigraph records that valiant Cangaraja captured Talakad, took posession of Kongu, killed Narasingavarma and took posession of the king Vishnu. Yet another record mentions that Cangaraja having driven out the Tigulas (Tamilians), restored Gangavadi to the Hoysala king, Gangaraja was granted Govindavadi village, and he was elevated to the rank of Samantha.
The success of Cangaraja against the Cholas alarmed the other neighbour, the Chalukyas. The Chalukya emperor Vikramadity VI collected a huge army from his twelve feudatories and was led against the Hoysalas by the experienced general, Acharasa. The army marched towards Hoysala capital Dorasamudra and reached Kannegala in the present Hassan district. Gangaraja once again assumed the supreme command and attacked the huge Chalukya force at Kannegala. The Chalukya army fled away in confusion leaving behind their equipment.
Gangaraja was a staunch supporter of Jain religion. He took keen interest in its propogation. He is described as the strongest champion of Jain Faith during this period. The Jain records make frequent reference to his gifts to the needy, relief to the sick and promotion of learning. He took pains to repair many Jain temples. He took interest to beautify the surroundings of Lord Bahubali at Sravanabelagola and built the enclosure around it. He also built a new town, Jinanatha Pura, near Sravanabelagola.
Gangaraja died in 1133 A.D. and his death was deeply mourned by the king and his subjects.