Jain Legend Vol 4

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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only in a significant reduction in the number of followers of Jainism but diversion of monetary contribution / donation from Jainism to Limg yatas. The Jain ascetics become ineffective to the extent that they could not even propagate their religion.
The leaders of Limg yata spread such folk tales in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which boosted the morale of Limg yatas and killed Jain monks. These folk songs and folk tales, in a way totally wiped out Jainism from Andhra Pradesh.
Even in these calamitous conditions Jain religion did not disappear completely in Karnataka as a large number of loyal Jain monks and followers existed there still. The kings from the North of Mysore helped the Jain followers from time to time. Even the alien rulers were somewhat generous towards Jains, for example, Haidara N y ka who donated a village to Jain temples.
Around 1326 AD, the Muslim conquerors defeated and destroyed Hoysala dynasty. The anarchy created by the Muslim attacks and invasions gave rise to a powerful Hindu kingdom in Vijayanagara. The C lukya kings of Vijayanagara were mostly followers of Vai avism and most of their ministers were Brahmins. Hence Jain followers could not get any opportunity to establish their influence over there. Nevertheless they protected the Jains against the religious campaigns led by Vai avites. None of the rulers of Vijayanagara ever harassed the Jains. On the contrary, they safeguarded the Jains during times of calamity.
To cite an example, during the regime of Bukkar ya of C lukya dynasty which extended from 1353 to 1377 AD, a historical concordat between the Jains and Vai avites was made which helped the followers of Jainism in adverse times. This is a laudable paradigm which never happened anywhere in the world. The views expressed by Dr. P.B.Desai, in his historical text 'A History of Karnataka' about the discipline of Bukkar ya are given below:
Protection given to the minority by Bukkar ya
The significant event that took place during the regime of Bukkar ya, the King of Vijayanagara, illustrates his liberal nature and religious tolerance. The incident is the solution brought out to sort the discord
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