Tag: south india - shatavahanas, kadambas and gangas

The Kadambas laid the foundation for architecture in Karnataka. They built many temples and basadis in Banavasi. During this period, educational centres like agraharas, brahmapuris and ghatikas were established. The main agraharas of that time were found in Talagunda and Balligave. The agraharas were like residential schools.

The Kadambas of Hangal was a South Indian dynasty during the Late Classical period on the Indian subcontinent, which originated in the region of Karnataka. It was founded by Mayurasharma in 345 AD. Banavasi was the capital of the dynasty. They established themselves there in A.D. 345 and ruled for two centuries.

 Kannada was the language of the people. The ancient Halmidi inscription shows the characteristics of the Kannada language which was in use in the 5th century. This has been the first inscription available in Kannada.

The Chaityalaya at Karle was constructed by Bhootapala, a merchant from Banavasi, as recorded in the inscriptions at the site.

The Kadamba made special contributions to Karnataka and Indian culture. There was political unity for around three hundred years under the Kadamba rule. Royal priests, ministers, and military generals played a significant role in the administration. For administrative ease, provincial officers had been appointed to look after the provinces.
Land revenue was the main source of income in the kingdom. The occupations such as carpentry, goldsmithy, blacksmithy, weaving, oil-extraction, pottery were the main ones in the society. There was greater encouragement for agriculture and trade. Most of the people followed varnashrama. Greater importance was given to patriarchy and undivided family.

Kadamba dynasty was the first dynasty to be established in Karnataka. Their capital was Banavasi which is in today's North Canara district. Mayurasharma was the founder and a great king of this dynasty. When Mayura Sharma was insulted by the Pallava king, Shivaskanda Varma, he adopted the kshatriya way of life and became Mayuravarma. He defeated the Pallavas in a war and established the Kadamba empire. He is the pride of all Kannadigas.

Kailasha temple of Ellora is a mixture of both Chalukya and Pallava style of architecture. Kailasha temple was originally built by Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. 

Banavasi, the ancient capital of the Kadambas, is located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.

• Bahubali, a much revered figure among Jains, was the son of Rishabhanatha (the first tirthankara of Jainism) and the younger brother of Bharata Chakravartin.
• A 39-foot high statue of Bahubali with a 13-foot  pedestal that weighs about 175 tons is installed at Dharmasthala in Karnataka.
• The monolithic statue of Bahubali which is carved from a single block of granite is located at Shravanabelagola, located 158km from Bangalore.
• Karkala is known for its 42 ft (13 m) monolithic statue of Gomateshwara Bahubali, which is believed to have been built around 1432 and is the second-tallest statue in the state.

The Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar, a decorated free standing pillar was constructed by the Western Gangas. The pillar dates to around 983 C.E. and exists in Shravanbelgola, a centre of Jain culture in Karnataka. The Western Gangas ruled in Mysore state from about 250 to about 1004 CE. Most of the Western Gangas were Jainas and patronized it but some also supported Hinduism.