The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c8.s15.91

c8.s15.91

The two Purânas are occupied, for the most part, with doctrinal expositions; recitals of mythology, praises of previous Saiva saints, and accounts of miracles worked by Basava. And it is only quite at the end of each of them, that we come again on any historical matter. They shew, however, that, with the influence that his official position gave the uncle, Basava and his nephew propagated with great energy and activity their doctrines, which included the persecution and extermination of all persons,—and especially the Jains,—whose creed differed from that of the Lingâyats.⁶ Coupled with the lavish expenditure incurred by Basava, from the public coffers, on the support of the Jangams or Lingâyat priests, the proceedings naturally aroused in Bijjala, who was of the Jain faith,⁷ feelings of uneasiness and distrust, which appear to have been fanned from time to time by a rival minister named Manchanna, in spite of the latter being himself, in secret, a Vîra-Saiva.⁸ And at length an event occurred, which ended in the assassination of Bijjala and the death of Basava.