Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 56

side with the hills of Mogalrajapuram, noted for its caves attributed to the period of Visnukundin Kings.
Vijayawada
Vijayawada was known as Bejawada during British time and possibly it lasted for centuries. A copper plate grant of the eastern Calukyan king Visnu-Vardhana III (718-52 A.D.) states that a village Musinikonda was given to the Jaina of Nadumbi Vasati, Bezzawada by the queen Ayyanamahadevi.35 Thus the first reference to the name of Bezawada goes back to 7th century A.D. Bezawada was also referred to in subsequent inscriptions.56 Etymologically, the name Vijjawada or Bijjawada stands for place of business transactions.
From the above evidences it has to be concluded that it was originally a place of Vanilla or trade and hence it could be a Vannijjawada, a name derived from Vanijjagama visited by Mahavira during his austerities.)? Besides, the hill of Indrakiladri, above the present village Vidyadharapuram, is now occupied by several huts. Archaeological investigation on the hill top and on the slopes during the year 1982, has yielded plenty of terracota and banded agate beads of different shapes. 38 Early black and red sherds, dishes and bowles of buff ware were recovered. These evidences suggest a period that goes back to 3rd century B.C. as found at Kolanukonda and Vaddamanu on the opposite bank of the river Krishna.
This may not indicate their Jain association to Vijayawada as there is no corroborating epigraphical evidence. However, the ancient name Vanijjawada for Bejjawada gives clue to the religious association to Jainism on the basis of the similarity of its name with Vanijjagama in Bihar from the Jain text. The three basadis were contemporary and dated much earlier to the Christian period. They may be attributed to different Jain missionaries that established different Jain centres at Vaddamana (Atthiyagama), Bhogapura (Kolanukonda) and Vanijjagama (Vijayawada) on either bank of the river Krishna following the visit of Mahavira to Mosali.
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