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Research Paper Volume : 2 | Issue : 8 | AugustHistory 2013 • ISSN No 2277 - 8179 Humcha – A Jaina Centre of Karnataka KEYWORDS : History in Brief, Jainism in (India) Humcha, Jaina Ascetics in Humcha Dr. Jagadeesh Asst. Professor in History, Karnatak Arts College, Karnatak University, Dharwad-580 001 Kivudanavar ABSTRACT Karnataka ruled by many dynasties and it has a rich cultural heritage in India. These dynasties contributed to enrich the history and culture of the region. The ruling dynasties and their feudatories were encouraged literature and religion. The Kannada literature was flourished by the Jaina saints and scholars. Jainism flourished from the period of 4th century A.D., by the Ganga rulers. The Santaras, the feudatories ruled from seventh century A.D. Humcha in Shimoga district was their capital city and was one of the great Jaina centres of Karnataka and was the original home of the Bhattaraka order. The Santara chiefs were the staunch followers of Jainism and made various grants for the promotion of the Jaina faith and built many Basadis. The present paper throws light on Humcha and the growth of Jainism. Introduction (a Pallava Chief), erected Basadis at Humcha, the most impor- Karnataka state in the Indian sub continent is the region of rich tant among them is Panchakuta Basadi known as Uruvi-Tilakam cultural heritage. Shimoga is one of the most prosperous dis- (glory of the world). The Santara principality is described as a tricts of Karnataka state. The district is an area of lavish natural land of plenty. In about 1209 A.D., the Santaras transferred their scenic splendours, lush greeneries, alluring dense forests with capital city from Humcha to Kalasa in Chikmagalore and later (in the 14th century) Karkala in South Kanara, when they called - themselves as Veerapandyas and Bhairarasas. The Santaras of turalexciting heritage flora andof a highfauna, order. captivating The district hills, hasa proud many historyhistorical of Humcha were the staunch followers of the Jainism. Here we can centresachievements, of tourist many importance. magnificent The monuments, region is a place artistic of differentand cul be had some details on their grants and endowments made for cultures, languages and religions. From the ancient period the the promotion of Jainism. Jainism patronised by many ruling dynasties and many Jaina Ba- sadis are built in the different places. Humcha is a small village Jainism in Humcha in Hosanagara Taluq situated at a distance of 60 Kms. south- Many facts regarding the advent of Jainism in Karnataka, its west of Shimoga city. In many inscriptions, Humcha called as widespread growth, the patronage it received from the ruling Hombucha, Pomburchcha etc. The place is played a vital role in dynasties, its popularity, its contribution to the development the development of Jaina philosophy and doctrine from the 6-7th of Kannada literature etc., are important factors to know the century A.D and it was a great Jaina centre of Karnataka. The growth of Jainism. According to the statement of Haribhadra, present paper is based on epigraphical sources and throws light the region of Malkhed was in habited by the followers of the on how Humcha became a popular centre of Jainism. Svetambara doctrine when Padalitacharya, an eminent divine of History in Brief Archg. Report, 1923, p, 10-11). We need not discredit this testi- Humcha was the capital of the Santaras, a feaudatory family of monyNorth onIndia, the groundvisited thethat place it comes in about from afirst literary century source A.D. of (Mys. later many ruling dynasties in Karnataka. It is situated at the foot of the Bilesvar Hill, which indicates the site of a large town. The authority of an early epigraph. An epigraph of the reign of Kad- Hombucha means a golden bit. According to mythological story ambaperiod. Mrigesavarma This price of information refers to the is grants sufficiently made supportedto the Jaina by gods the attached to it, Jinadatta, a founder of the dynasty, was asked and the Jaina recluses (Desai, p, 99; I.A, VII, p, 37). Thus from by goddess Padmavati to touch her image with the bit of horse, the early days Jainism patronised by the many ruling dynasties which on his doing so was instantly changed in to gold and like the the Kadambas, the Gangas of Talkad, the Rasthrakutas, brought him good fortune. Hence he established his own ruling the Hoysalas of Dorasamudra etc. Many of the feudatories of the dynasty. ruling dynasties were also granted freedom to follow their own religions. Like the Santaras, feudatories of the many dynasties The district is ruled by many dynasties from the days of the were also freed to follow their own religion Jainism. Mouryas. It was the home of the Satavahanas and the Kadambas of Banavasi. The Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyana, the Rashtra- Humcha became a centre of Jainism from the centuries and it is kutas, the Hoysalas, the Yadavas of Devagiri and the Vijayana- well known for Jaina Matha, which built by the monks. The Ma- gara dynasties and many chieftains were ruled the area from the tha has several Basadis like Parshvanatha, Padmavati, Mathada different places (Venkatesh, 2000, p, 86). Basadi, Bogara Basadi and Jattingaraya Basadi. These temples are headed by pontiffs and important among them are Acharya The Santaras, an important feudatory line came in to existence Samanta Bhadra, Vidyanandi, Vishalakirti and Nemichandra. in the 7th century A.D., they had Potti- Pomburchchapura (mod- ern Humcha) as their capital city. Then it was called as Santa- Truth, goodness, beauty, non-violence and happiness are the ul- lige-1000. Its founder was Jinadatta of Ugravamsa. It is said that timate values and objectives of life and which are the important he came from Mathura with the image of a Jaina goddess Pad- factors of all religions including Jainism. Jainism is the religion mavati. Later he overcome a local chief and extended his author- of equality, fraternity and universal peace. Therefore it might be ity from Govardhanagiri in Sagar to Kalasa in Chikmagalore. An encouraged by the ruling classes of ancient India. As that the inscription dated 1077 A.D. refers that Nanni-Santara is highly Santaras, feudatories of many ruling dynasties encouraged the honoured by the Chalukyan king who came half way to meet religion and extended their royal patronage, which enjoyed as him and placed him at his side on his throne (E.C.VII, Nr. 36). the state religion. Protection of Dharma was considered to be Their capital city became a centre of Jainism, where they erect- ed several Basadis. Trailokyamalla Vira Santara and Bhujabala individuals were pious by nature and charitable disposition. Santara are mentioned as having freed the principality from Anthe inscriptionforemost duty dated of the 892 king. A.D. The refers kings, that chiefs, the ruler officials Tolapurusha and rich trouble some claimants in 1062 and 1066 A.D. They appear to Vikramaditya Santara, the Santara Chief erected Kalla Basadi at have been entrusted, for some time, with governance of a wide Humcha and made some grants to it (E.C. XV, No. 108, p, 172a). area of Banavasi and Nolambavadi tracts. From three elabo- The most renowned king of the Santaras, Vira Santaradeva, and rate epigraphs, all assigned to 1077 A.D. refer that Chittaladevi, ruling Santalige-1000, during his reign Jainism reached its ze- grand daughter of Rakkasa-Ganga and was married to Kaduvetti nith. An inscription dated 1062 A.D., refers the chief Vira Santa- IJSR - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 211 Research Paper radeva,Volume Nokkayya-setti : 2 | Issue : 8 | August and his2013 teacher • ISSN NoDivakaranandi-Siddhan 2277 - 8179 - Many of the Santara kings and queens made enormous gifts ta-Ratnakaradeva. It that the Pattanasvami Nokkayya-setti gave for the promotion of the Jainism. An inscription dated 1147 one hundred Gadyanas of gold and obtained Molakere from the A.D. records the erection of the northern Pattasale of the Pan- above chief and granted the same along with the village Kukkan- chakuta Basadi at Humcha by the chief Vikrama Santara, Pam- davalli to the Pattanasvami-Jinalaya that he had built. This grant padevi and her daughter Bachaladevi. These three are said to was handed over to Sakalachandra Panditadeva, after releasing be the lay disciples of Ajitasena Pandita known as Vadibhsimha. it from all taxes. It is also said that the above Nokkayya Setti had It further refers to the rule of Pampadevi and Srivallabhadeva. made a Mahura, the Images of gold, silver, coral, precious stones It also records that, after erecting the above Patasala the king Srivallabhadeva made a grant, after washing the feet of Vasupu- Molakere, Ugure stream to enter the Pagimagala tank of Saul- jya Sidhantadeva and refers Madeya, who engraved the inscrip- angaand the by fivegiving metals one hundredetc. He had Gadyanas built many of gold tanks and like it alsoSantagere, refers tion (E.C. XV, No.82, p, 125f). Mallinatha, the author of this record (E.C., XV, No. 106, p. 169b). It is clear that the construction of tanks regarded high religious Jaina Ascetics in Humcha activities of those days. Bhujabala Santaradeva, a chief, under The ancient institution at Humcha is the original home of this seat the Chalukyan king, made grants to Bhujabala Santara Jinalaya of faith. It is headed by Bhattaraka Devendrakirti. In 1048 AD, the at Humcha (E.C. XV, No.107, p, 15c). king made a donation to a Bhattaraka of Balagara-gana at Ballig- ame near Banavasi. Thus, the Bhattaraka seat at Humcha may be In ancient India women also played an important role in the po- one of the oldest of its kind. The most widespread Bhattaraka order litical, administration, religious, economic and social spheres.
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  • Courses in Jaina Studies

    Courses in Jaina Studies

    Jaina Studies NEWSLETTER OF THE CENTRE OF JAINA STUDIES March 2013 Issue 8 CoJS Newsletter • March 2013 • Issue 8 Jaina Studies NEWSLETTER OF THE CENTRE OF JAINA STUDIES Contents: 4 Letter from the Chair Conferences and News 5 Jaina Logic: Programme 7 Jaina Logic: Abstracts 10 Biodiversity Conservation and Animal Rights: SOAS Jaina Studies Workshop 2012 12 SOAS Workshop 2014: Jaina Hagiography and Biography 13 Jaina Studies at the AAR 2012 16 The Intersections of Religion, Society, Polity, and Economy in Rajasthan 18 DANAM 2012 19 Debate, Argumentation and Theory of Knowledge in Classical India: The Import of Jainism 21 The Buddhist and Jaina Studies Conference in Lumbini, Nepal Research 24 A Rare Jaina-Image of Balarāma at Mt. Māṅgī-Tuṅgī 29 The Ackland Art Museum’s Image of Śāntinātha 31 Jaina Theories of Inference in the Light of Modern Logics 32 Religious Individualisation in Historical Perspective: Sociology of Jaina Biography 33 Daulatrām Plays Holī: Digambar Bhakti Songs of Springtime 36 Prekṣā Meditation: History and Methods Jaina Art 38 A Unique Seven-Faced Tīrthaṅkara Sculpture at the Victoria and Albert Museum 40 Aspects of Kalpasūtra Paintings 42 A Digambar Icon of the Goddess Jvālāmālinī 44 Introducing Jain Art to Australian Audiences 47 Saṃgrahaṇī-Sūtra Illustrations 50 Victoria & Albert Museum Jaina Art Fund Publications 51 Johannes Klatt’s Jaina-Onomasticon: The Leverhulme Trust 52 The Pianarosa Jaina Library 54 Jaina Studies Series 56 International Journal of Jaina Studies 57 International Journal of Jaina Studies (Online) 57 Digital Resources in Jaina Studies at SOAS Jaina Studies at the University of London 58 Postgraduate Courses in Jainism at SOAS 58 PhD/MPhil in Jainism at SOAS 59 Jaina Studies at the University of London On the Cover Gautama Svāmī, Śvetāmbara Jaina Mandir, Amṛtsar 2009 Photo: Ingrid Schoon 2 CoJS Newsletter • March 2013 • Issue 8 Centre of Jaina Studies Members SOAS MEMBERS Honorary President Professor Christopher Key Chapple Dr Hawon Ku Professor J.