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AUTHOR'S PREFACE
The period before the migration of the apostle Bhadrabahu gives a hazy picture of the conditions of Jainism in Karnataka; the period after Bhadrabāhu also, for over four centuries, throws only a dim light on the condition of Jainism. But, after the advent and contact of the Gangas, Jaina history is enlivened, leaving behind its vestiges of glory. From then onwards, Karnataka witnessed hectic activities of the construction of Jaina temples, monasteries, of causing images of Jinas, in fervent manner, at the instance of their preceptors.
All this resulted in the perfect methodical organisation of Jaina community in Karnataka, and also in the South India as a whole. It is the active agency of the adept Simhanandi-l, that the mighty Ganga kingdom was created. Daḍiga and Madhava, two forlorn princes from the north were extended a refuge. They founded the Ganga dynasty and ācārya Simhanandi-Il promoted it in the 3rd and 4th cent. C.E., which opened a new era of Jina-Dharma in Karnataka and Jainism, started with a bang of prosperity never looked back. Nirgrantha church spread so fast, covering very vast areas, that by fifth cent. C.E., itself, there were varieties of sects and schisms within the faith the Ahariṣṭis, the Kūrcakas, the Nirgranthas, the Śvetapatas and the Yāpaniyas.
Though the Gangas are called Western Gangas, Gangas of Talkāḍ, Gangas of Talavanapura etc., the great Gangas belong exclusively neither to western origin nor to Karnataka alone; their achievements are the rich heritage of India as a whole. Therefore, I have tried to frame them in temporal terms, as the Early Gangas and Later Gangas. Accordingly, I have presented a comprehensive picture of the contribution of the early Gangas, to the spread and sustainence of Jaina faith in the south, in my previous monograph of 'A History of The Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism' (1999). This monograph continues to carry the history of the Gangas, from where it had stopped in the above monograph, upto the end of their clearly visible vestiges.
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