This page has not been fully proofread.

INTRODUCTION
 
Rājanārāyaṇa, though a Saivite, was tolerent
towards all religions. He endowed both Siva and
Vishnu temples.¹¹
11 The mention of a Jain temple
and the setting up of a Jain image by a pious
lady during the period of Rajanārāyaṇa suggests that
Jainism was still enjoying royal patronage."
12 It might
also be noted that an earlier Sambuvarāya ruler con-
structed at Pundi a Jaina temple dedicated to Ponni-
nātha but called Vira Vira Jinālaya and gave a large
tax-free village to it for its support.¹3
 
13
 
23
 
Rājanārāyaṇa's philanthrophy had become so in-
fectious that even private individuals came forward to
supplement the noble work of their ruler. 14
 
Turning our attention to the condition of trade and
commerce during his period, we have some evidence
to conclude that he did his best to promote them. Sadras
was a flourishing trade centre and the suggestion that
Rājanārāyaṇa might have taken interest in its growth
is got by the new name Rājanārāyaṇapaṭṭanam, given
to the port, after the ruler.¹5 The reference to such com-
munities as Settis, Kaikkolar, Karrai-vada-vanigar and
Sekku-vanigar and Saliyar and such taxes as Tarik-
11. Cf. A.R.E., 113 of 1932-33. Among the Vishnu temples that
he endowed, the Sthalasayanaperumal temple at Mahabalipuram de-
serves to be noted. During the date of Rajanārāyaṇa the God of the
temple was known as Ulagalandaperumal.
 
12. South Indian inscriptions, Vol. I. 70, p. 102.
 
13. A.R.E., 58 of 1900.
 
14. An inscription dated in the 19th regnal year of Rajanārāyaṇa
contains the interesting information that the various communities,
oil-mongers, washermen and others, collected donations and completed
the construction of a temple which had been left incomplete, at
Madhevimangalam. A.R.E., 53 of 1933-34. For this act of charity the
taxes on these communities were remitted. Also Cf. A.R.E., 36 of
1933-34.
 
15. A.R.E., 103 of 1932-33.