Jain Journal 1994 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 28

JAIN JOURNAL : VOL XXIX, NO. 1, JULY 1994
vated, approximately in the 12th century A.D. The composer of the earlier dated inscription is believed to have been the classical Kan nada poet Ranna, the author of Ajitanatha Purana. It is important to note that the contents of this inscription corroborate, by and large, the contents of the Ajitanatha Purana.' It is well-known that Ranna wrote his work at the suggestion of Attimobbe. The poet also enjoyed the patronage ofthe Chalukyan rulers, Taila II and Irivabedanga Satyasraya.8
In the constellation of brilliant, Jaina martial families in the Chalukyan kingdom of the 10th century A.D., two numes, namely, Mallappa and Dhallappa, appear prominently; they were, apparently, the central figures in the Chalukyan polity. They and their forefathers seemed to have given their support to the Chalukyan rulers Taila II and Irivabedanga Satyasraya Ahavamalla in their combats against the opponents during the early years. Mallapa and Dhallapa served Taila II and his successor Irivabedanga Satyasraya Ahavamalla under them in various capacities, as ministers and generals, during the subsequent years, after the Chalukyas came to power. They were also the chief promoters of Jainism during this century, and it is important to note that Attimobbe was a link between these two Jaina martial families.
Profile of Mallapa, Father of Attimobbe:
In a feudalistic system of administration, like that of the Western Chalukyas, there was always ample scope for an able person to build up his political fortunes. Only persons having excellent military prowess, loyalty, and intelligence were appointed as administrators of fiefs and as state officers. Mallapa, father of Attimobbe appears to have built up his fortunes by the dint of his own merits under Taila II. From Ranna's account, it also appears that Mallapa belonged to the Vajivamsa' of Kaundinya Gotra.10 Reference to the
6. Ibid. 7. Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah (Ed.): Santipurana (Introd); Ajitapurana, Tilakam,
(Ed.): Devirappa, D. Javaregowda Ch: 1, St. 38. 8. Karnataka Kavi Charitre, Vol. I. 9. Dr. M. S. Nagaraja Rao (Ed.): Seminar Papers, The Chalukyas of Kalyana,
Article- The feudal element in the Western Chalukyan Polity. The Mythic
Society, 1983. 10. Ajitapurana Tilakam, Ch. 1-28.