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Significance of New Inscriptions from Koppaļa, Karnataka
355
constructed by the famous general Sankara-ganda-dandanāyaka in A. D. 960. [Desai, : 1957 : 372; Hampa. Nagarajaiah : 1998 A : 165]).
1.1.2. "With its caverns inhabited by śramanas and the two huge rocky
hillocks in close proximity as an abode of peace and penance, Koppala attracted monks and nuns. Particularly, the Nirgrantha friars had always a preference for such secluded places and obviously Koppala became a major Jaina resort, a sacred hillock of excellences. Koppaļa was completely overrun by Jainism. Besides, on account of its geographical position Kopana seems to have been placed in very congenial circumstances, especially political, that contributed to its rapid growth as a Mahā-tīrtha." [Desai : 1957 : 157]
1.2
Because Koppala was a preëminent place and a treasure-house of Jaina art, sculpture, architecture, and literature, it has, through the ages, produced an immense wealth of significant archaeological and art historical material. Hundreds of Jaina shrines, monasteries, feeding houses (satras), friaries [muni-nivāsas) in this principal town, ranging in date between the seventh and the 16th century, attracted men and women votaries. "We note that in the seventh century A. D. Kopana was essentially a Jaina tīrtha. Epigraphic evidence prove this. In the Halageri inscription of the western Chalukya king Vijayaditya [A. D. 696-733] mention is made of this great Jaina sanctuary." [Saletore 192]
1.3
Though Koppala was reckoned as the foremost and supremely sacred tirtha, a holy resort of Jaina order, solid and valid proof to establish it as an historical truth was lacking. Koppala has not yet been properly surveyed and examined with extensive and intensive field work, the researches conducted since the days of B. L. Rice are scanty and meagre.
NEW MATERIAL DISCOVERED
2.0
In the year 1992, unprecedented clouds burst occurred at several parts of the Karnataka State in general and at Koppala in particular. As a result, a portion of the old-Fort at Koppala collapsed. Surprisingly enough, a hoard of inscriptions on slabs and pillars,
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