Jainism and Karnataka Culture

Author(s): S R Sharma
Publisher: Karnataka Historical Research Society Dharwar

Page 94

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JAINISM AND KARNATAKA CULTURE
was altogether destroyed. 250 Buchanan says, out of sixty-eight Bastis at Bhatkal oniy two remained.251 At Beidur (Baindūr?), for instance, when Baira Devi was defeated and slain, the Basti was abandoned by the pūjāri for want of sustenance.253 And at Bărkür, once the capital of Jaina kings, the conquering religion ( Saivism ) rules at present; "No Jaina passes through (its grass grown streets ) for the broken and headless images of his Tirthankaras may be picked up by the dozen among the grass and bushes that have crept over his shattered temples, and here and there one may be seen laid before the entrance of a Brahmin temple over which all must tread.” 253
It was during this period of turmoil that Della Valle the Italian traveller visited the West Coast going through Ikkeri, Honāwar, and Gersoppa. He witnessed Barcelore (Basrūr) which belonged to Venkațappa Naik, where he found “a fair, long, broad and straight street, having abundance of palmettos and gardens and ample evidence of good quarries and a considerable population." In contrast to this was the territory of the Banghel (Bangar) Rājā, whose place had been destroyed by Venkatappa Naik; “but the bazar and market place remained, though not so stored with goods as in former times." The fact that Venkațappa Naik, a bitter Śaiva, was invited by the queen of Ullāl against the Bangar Rājā, her own ('divorced') husband and a Jaina, must serve to illustrate the unfortunate and pitiable condition of the Jainas at that time. 954 The sequel of this history is easily told : Although under Haider Ali the Jaina temples continued to enjoy their lands, of an annual revenue of 360 pagodas, they were entirely resumed by his fanatical son Tipoo who, however, gave in lieu of them an annual allowance of 90 pagodas. Buchanan observes, "At
250 Ibid., pp. 70 3 ; Buchanan, op. cit., p. 127 251 Ibid., p. 132 252 Ibid., p. 109. 253 Walhouse, quoted by Sturrock, op. cit., 92 254 Cf. Ibid., pp. 71-2; The Travels of Sig-Pietro della Valle, pp. 150-56