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Introduction
LXXIX
nobility and also in royal families. Inscriptions of the followers of Buddhism of the time of Rudradáman and the copper - plates of Valabhi are evidences of this state of things. Guhasena in one of his plates is called Paramopāsaka-a great follower of Buddhism for which Duddā his paternal aunt seems to be responsible.
The spread of Jainism, though not so marked, is made evident by a Jaina inscription of the Kshatrapa period to which we have previously referred. According to Mr. Jayaswal Nahapāna was a Jaina. Be that as it may, at the time of Valabhi – supremacy Jainism seems to have made considerable progress; otherwise Devardąhigaại would have found it impossible to hold his council of Jaina monks in Valabhi. As a result of the activities of Mallavādin Jainism seems to have received fresh impetus.
Vaishṇavism seems to have received much support in the time of the Guptas. The Traikūtaka kings were Parama-Bhāgavatas, so also Dharasena II. Dharapatta was a Paramāditya-bhakta or a great devotee of the Sun. . One fact, however, seems to come out clearly from the copper - plate grants of Maitraka kings, and that is, that the spirit of toleration and reverence for good things of all religions - taught by Asoka was not forgotten by subsequent rulers. Even though, almost all the kings of the Kshatrapa and the Maitraka periods were great devotees of Şiva, their gifts extended to all creeds and sects, especially, to Buddhism.
The copper - plates supply us with many details which enable us to visualize the administration of the kingdom of Valabhi. The B. G. gives a good summary which I quote in the footnote below.+
+ “ The Valabhi grants supply information regarding the
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