The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c32.42

v1.c32.42

In this document preference seems to be given to the Jainas, although Bukka was not a Jain himself. It shows, however, how the King was influenced by Jainism. We know indeed from other lithic records that one of the ministers of Bukka was a fervent Jain: his name was Baichappa. He is mentioned in an inscription at Sravana-Belgola 2. According to an inscription of 1385 in Vijayanagara itself the same Baichappa and his son Irugappa, himself a Jain also, were ministers of Bukka's successor, Harihara II 3. Another inscription of 1387-8, in a Jain temple near Kanchivaram, records some donations of this Irugappa, mentioned as son of Vaichaya (Tamil form for Baichappa), General of Vijayanagara and follower of the Jain religion 4. Irugappa's two sons, named Baichappa and Irugappa, are also mentioned in another inscription of 1422, at Sravana-Belgola, as Jain Generals of Vijayanagara 5 during the reign of Vira Vijaya. His successor, Deva Raya II, was also much inclined to Jainism, as is shown in an inscription of this King, of the year 1426, in Vijayanagara itself 6. Probably there was built during this period the Jain temple, the ruins of which, on the slopes of the rockey hill that protects the Pampapathi temple of Hampi, are one of the most interesting features of the glorious capital.