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Like several royal families of ancient India, the Ganga family also had some branches, in ancient times, ruling different parts. One of the main branches was ruling from Kuvalālapura and later from Talkād; another branch of the same stalk was ruling from Mandali; after the liquidation of the former branch, the latter one of Mandali picked up strength and sustained to its glory being a feudatory of the Kalyana Calukyas and the Hoysalas. The Mandali Gangas are rightly termed as the Later Gangas, who are infact, the last Gangas.
The Mandali chieftans ruled at an important epoch in the South Indian history in general and in the history of Karnataka in particular. Their patronage of Jainism, and to other isms, seems to have lasted upto 16th cent., and had firm roots in the masses. The Maṇḍalināḍ administration is the best example of religious tolerance, not because they did not supress other faiths, instead they continued the indulgent policy of their fore-fathers. This enduring spirit of the Mandali reign has been evidenced by epigraphic corroboration. Some of the magnificent temples still bear witness to the bygone affluence and profusion of the Mandali-Thousand.
Either in English or in Kannada, it is for the first time that the history of the Mandalinad is described; so far, not even two pages is written about them. An account of my personal research and extensive field work, voluminous material has come to light and much of it is embedded in this monograph. Necessary care is taken to proper evaluation and selection of material out of a mass of epigraphical sources available; while doing so, I have fixed the date of the kings, queens, princes and other administrators, for the first time.
By way of conclusion, I should emphasise that the description of the Mandalināḍ in its historical development presented in this book, is a broad outline. Broad outlines have their use and can constitute major advances in our understanding. A documented and chronological account of the political and cultural life of the Mandali-Thousand was a desideratum till to-day, and this monograph aims at clearing the gap.
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