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of Chalukyas migrated to Gujarat. The famous Emperor some influence of Shwetambars and Yapaniya Sangha. Kumarpal, who was disciple of Jain Acharya Hemchandra Shwetambars Jainism made some place for it in North West promoted Jainism in large scale in Gujarat.
Maharashtra while Yapaniya Sangha was a prominent sect Sinds, was a minor dynasty of medieval Maharashtra. in South Maharashtra and Marathwada region for a long According to a copper plate, the first ancestor of this period. Later this sangh was absorbed by Digambar sect. dynasty was Ajanbahu, who was the son of Dharnendra Many literary and sociological evidences denote that and Padmavati of Ahichhatra in Uttar Pradesh. As you Jainism was popular in common people. Many Hindu castes know, Dharnendra and Padmavati were chief disciples of of today's Maharashtra were followers of Jainism in Parshwanath, the 23rd Jain Teerthankar. Ajanbhahu came medieval period. According to Kolhapur Gazetteer (1885), to Maharashtra and found his kingdom. Several rock people like Barbers, Washermen and others were followers inscriptions indicate this dynasty's affiliation with Jainism of Jainism. There was a time when Jainism was a prominent
Ratts ruled from Belgavi. They too were Jains and religion amongst Marathas, the major caste of Jainism flourished in Sangli, Kolhapur and Belgavi region in Maharashtra. their reign. Ratts were feudatories of Rashtrakuts. The oldest inscription in Marathi language is at the Kamalbasti, at the famous Jain temple in Belgavi fort was feet of the giant statue of Gomateshwar at Shravanbelgola. built by Ratts.
This place is far away from the Marathi speaking area. This Shilahar was another major dynasty supporting inscription was carved in 981 C.E.. The same inscription is Jainism. The main branch of Shilahars ruled from Kolhapur, in Kannad and Tamil language too. Writing the inscription which was a major Jain center in 9th to 13th century. in Marathi language also proves that a large number of
Shilahar Kings Marsinh, Gandraditya, Vijayaditya were Marathi speaking Jain pilgrims were visiting this place. great patrons of Jainism. Shilahar king Bhoj ll and his mighty Obviously they were from Maharashtra. General Nimbaras were disciples of Jain Acharya
Decline of Jainism Maghnandi. An inscription at Kolhapur says about
Jainism was most important religion of Deccan in Nimbaras .... He erected Jain temples everywhere. He filled
medieval age. But after 13th century, in Maharashtra and all the villages with gentlemen and sweet speaking Jains
other parts of the country started to decline. Most of the and made the region full of Jains'. Nimbaras was seriously medieval Jains of Maharashtra got converted to other wounded while fighting with Kalchuri King Bijjal. Nimbaras
religions after 13th century because of political and social took the vow of Sallekhana on the battlefield. Thus he lived
situations. The main reason were the rise of Warkari, and died as a true Jain.
Mahanubhav and veershaivite faiths. The code of conduct Shilahar Princess Chandralekha was a staunch Jain and
in these three faiths was just like Jainism, but in easy way the administrator of 7000 villages. She was married to
and practical. Masses were attracted to these faiths. Chalukya emperor Vikramaditya VI.
Another reason was anti Jain activities by Vedic Brahmins, In the period of later Shilahars, many Jain
which took place in Later Yadav rule. In Peshava rule, there families of Bijapur & Koppals districts of present day
were restrictions on Jainism and most of Somvanshi Kasar Karnataka migrated to Kolhapur and Sangli region of
Jains in Western and north Maharashtra got converted to Maharashtra.
other faiths. Kalchuries were contemporaries of Shilahars.
Probably present day Saitwals, Jain Kasars and According to Jain and Veershaivite literature, the famous
Somvashi Kshatriya Kasars are the remnants of medieval
Somu Kalchuri king Bijjal was a Jain. Historically this dynasty was
Jains as many of their surnames are like other older savior of Jains in Tamil Nadu.
communities in Maharashtra. All other Jain communities Yadavs came into Maharashtra from Gujarat. Their first
in present Maharashtra are migrants from South and North capital was Anjaneri near Nasik. They were closely related
India. to Jainism. Drudahpahar, one of the yadav kings was born
To Be Continued In The Next Issue into a Jain temple. Many of the Yadav Generals and queens
QO0 were staunch Jains. One can see Jain ruins at Yadav capitals
76-C, Mangal Flat No. 15, like Anjneri, Devgiri and Sindkhedraja.
3rd Floor, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, People
Matunga, Mumbai-400019. All the ancient archeological evidences and literary
Mo: 96193/79589 / 98191 79589. references indicate that Maharashtra was stronghold of
Email: kaminigogri@gmail.com Digambar Jains from ancient period. However there was
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