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Jaina Monuments of Andhra
later Chalukyas (i.e., Western Chalukyas of Kalyana). The mutilated Jain antiquities of Kulpak attest evidence to the dreadful acts of persecution by Rajendra Chola and his son, Rajadhiraja, who claimed to have burnt down the city of Kollipaka to ashes. As a result, Jainism suffered incalculable damage during the historic Chola-expedition. The main reason for the Cholas to concentrate their attack against Kollipaka in their conflict with the Chalukyas appears to be that during the early Chola period there took place an exodus of Jainas from Tamil-nadu to Andhra. Under the influence of the Alwars and Nayanars the Pallavas and the early Cholas subjected Jains to severe persecution. 13 The Jains, therefore, took refuge in the neighbouring Telangana where they received protection and patronage, from the Chalukyas and their subordinate chiefs. At this time the Cholas seem to have feared the safety of their homeland and decided to destroy Jaina strongholds. This is supported by the Gavarwad inscription of Chalukya Somesvara dated A.D. 108114 which says that a certain chandala Chola, with a wicked and malicious motive, caused to burn down and destroy the dwellings of the great Jains. In all likelihood this was encouraged by the Cholas who were ardent Saivites. A militant Saivite sect of Kalamukhas established themselves at Kollipaka and in their fury consumed the Jaina establishments at Kulpak. In Kulpak, there are small Saivite shrines, each claimed to belong to one caste or other like Chakali, Golla, Mangali, Kapu, Sale etc., On examination, it is found that these shrines were originally attached to the Jain-basadis. These basadis consist of a garbhagriha, and mukhamandapa with a stepped pyramidal tower over the sanctum. The door-jambs of these shrines depict poorna-ghatas at the bottom in place of the dwarapalas (gatekeepers) and the image of Golla-matha is a Jain Yakshini, Padmavati. Further, the mukhamandapa of these shrines contain figures of Tirthankaras. Thus, it appears that after the Chola-expedition, these Jaina basadis were converted into Saivite shrines and were renamed as mathas. Though they were called as mathas, they were infact small shrines with stepped pyramidal towers. The matha is a Hindu counterpart of the Jaina-basadi.
Though Jainism at Kulpak appears to have declined, it did not totally disappear, as can be seen from the Kogali-tirtha inscription" dated
