The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c33.65

c33.65

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, chiefs belonging to a family or clan named Hoysala, or Poysala, attained considerable power in the Mysore country. The first notable prince of this line was Bittideva, or Bittiga (about A. D. 1111 to 1141), who established his capital at Dōrasamudra, the modern Halebīd, famous for the fine temple which excited Fergusson's enthusiastic admiration. During the early years of his reign the Jain religion enjoyed high favour under the protection of his minister Gangarāja, and the Jain temples, which had been destroyed by the orthodox Chola invaders, were restored; but the king himself was converted to Vishnuism, under the influence of the celebrated reformer, Rāmānuja, and the magnificent buildings at Belūr and Halebid testify to the zeal and good taste which he devoted to the serving of his new religion.¹ On his conversion he assumed the name of Vishnu-vardhana, or Vishnu, by which he is best known. Vishnu boasts in his records of numerous conquests, and claims to have defeated the Rājas of the Chola, Pāndya, and Chera kingdoms in the south. About the year A.D. 1223, one of his successors, Narasimha II, who was then in alliance with the Cholas, actually occupied Trichinopoly.²