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CHAPTER X.
JAINISM AT THE PROVINCIAL COURTS
Causes which made Jainism prominent at the provincial courts-The Cangalvas and their work -The Sangitapura rulers and their ministersAn enemy of Jainism-Examples of noble ladies who were patrons of Jainism.
WE
may now turn our attention to the condition of Jainism in the various provincial seats of the Vijayanagara Empire. Much of the splendour of Jainism which had characterized its advent and spread in the royal capitals in earlier times, now in the Vijayanagara age is to be seen in the capitals of the provincial viceroys rather than in the great city of Vijayanagara itself. This phenomenon was due to the following causes. Firstly, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire was no more a mere centre of royal strength, as the early Karnataka capitals had been, but the bulwark of the entire people of southern India-Hindu as well as Jaina-against the attacks of the enemies of their dharma. The nature of the capital, therefore, had changed. While it certainly welcomed all sects and creeds with equal generosity, it could not think of devoting its attention to the cause of any one religion in particular. For political necessity had eclipsed religious needs; and the Emperors of Vijayanagara let all faiths in their great capital follow their own way, while they themselves were busy guarding the frontiers of their Empire against the ever watch
