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JAINISM IN INDIA
ulaikkalam, etc., from the Nalanjiyarppalli and other connected establishments should not be mortgaged to others. The inscription on palaeographic grounds may be placed in the 10th century A.D.
According to Shri P. B. Desai, the terin Palli is closely associated with Jainism. The term “Pallikudam' mean a school which was initially associated with a monastery or temple in ancient times and the Jaina teachers were renowned for their learning and educational activities.
The earliest reference to the grant known as Pallichchandan occurs about the 9th century A.D. and in the Cola and Pandya rulers grants from the 9th to the 13th centuries, the term occurs frequently. These appear to have been exclusive grants to Jaina ascetic orders or temples.
The Alatur discovery is an important landmark in the history of Jainism in Kerala in view of its proximity to Kangudesa, which according to the present evidences included parts of Mysore, Coimbatore and Salem. The Kongudesa Rajakkal gives a succession of twentyeight princes, of whom the first seven are said to belong to the Reddi community. The Kongunadu is üs old as the viher three Tamil Nagdociais and there are references to it in Patirrupat, Silappalikuram, etc. The Kangudesa Rajakkal is supported by inscriptions which give details of the dynasty and their patronage to Jainism. Invariably all monarchs patrunised Jainism and professed the faith. Most of the inscriptions refer 1 some grant to Jaina temples or orders. Jainism a very popular vi the beginning of the 12th century A.D. in Kangunadu. Only on the ind of new relics in the present districts of Kerala with clear inscripta evidences it would be possible to correlate the patronage of the King!! Ceras in the spread ofJainisni in the Cera empire which also lost jis - dominance sometime about 1102 A.D.
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