Shivamara I
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| Shivamara I | |
|---|---|
| King of the Western Ganga Dynasty | |
| Reign | c. 670 – 725 CE |
| Predecessor | Durvinita |
| Successor | Sripurusha |
| Dynasty | Ganga dynasty |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Western Ganga kings (350–999) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Shivamara I (r. c. 670–725 CE) was an early king of the Western Ganga dynasty, credited with substantially boosting Jain influence through temple-building and basadi patronage. His rule helped establish Shravanabelagola and Talakadu as key centers of Jain worship in Karnataka.[1]
Shivamara I succeeded the well-known king Durvinita and ruled under the suzerainty of the Badami Chalukyas. Inscriptions from Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri confirm his control over regions formerly known as Kongu and Gangavadi.[2]
Religion and Patronage
Jainism gained broader popularity during his reign; he is known to have constructed numerous Jain basadis, especially at Shravanabelagola. This period marks the beginning of sustained Jain royal patronage in the region, a legacy later exemplified by Butuga II and minister Chavundaraya.[1]