Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 7

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin No. 7
was his preceptor.1 At the and of third century B. C.2 Samprati is known to have sent missionaries to Andhra and Dramila countries to revive the fortunes of Jainism which suffered under Aśoka and is hailed as Jaina-Asoka.
5. JAINISM UNDER THE CHEDIS AND THE ŚĀTAVĀHANAS
(Cir. 200 B. C. to 225 A. D.)
(i) The Chedi Period (Cir. 200 B. C.): During the second century B. C., Āndhra region was ruled by the Chedi Dynasty of Kaļinga, which included the Northern districts of Andhra Pradesh. King Khārvela was the ruler of Kalinga. He made all efforts for Jainism. From the Hatigumpha inscription, it is known that4 Khārvela was a great patron of Jainism. He invited Jaina saints to Kaļinga and built caves for their dwelling. Though he was follower of Jainism, he was liberal in the religious matters. He also honoured the ascetics of other sects. Further, he brought back the Jaina image from Magadha which was carried by the Nanda ruler.
Besides the Hatigumpha inscription, Khārvela's another inscription at Gunțupallis records the construction of steps by a lady disciple Sūyananāth, who was residing in the caves. The Jaina caves of the second century B. C. at Gunțupalli in the East Godavari district, prove that Jainism was very popular during the reign of Chedis.
(ii) The Šatavāhna Period (185 B. C. to 225 A. D.): The śātavāhanas or sālivāhanas ruled Andhra region from about i85 B. C. to 225 A. D. Salivāhana was patron of Jainism, and built many Jaina temples and Chaityas. Sālivāhana is identified with Simukha Šātavāhana. Very recently coins of Simukha Sātavāhana have been found from the Jaina Cave on the right bank of river Godavari in Munula Gutta near the village Kappārāopet, Peddapalli Taluk, Karimnagar District by P. V. P. Sastri? in course of his epigraphical survey.
1. IA XI, p. 246. and also See. CHI. II, p. 359. 2. P. B. Desai; Op. cit., p. 9. 3. Vincent Smith; Early History of India, (3rd Edn), p. 193. 4. JBORS XIII, pp. 223, 245-246. 5. R. Subrahmanyam; Guņțupalli Brāhmi Inscription of Khārvela,
1958. 6. B. S. L. Hanumantha Rao : Op. cit. pp. 142-143. 7. Legends of the coins of Sātavāhana-presented a paper to the IV
Epigraphical Conference, Madras, 1978.