 In short , the Rashtrakuta rule was tolerant to multiple popular religions , Jainism , Vaishnavaism and Shaivism . Buddhism too found support and was popular in places such as Dambal and Balligavi , although it had declined significantly by this time . The decline of Buddhism in South India began in the 8th century with the spread of Adi Shankara 's Advaita philosophy . Islamic contact with South India began as early as the 7th century , a result of trade between the Southern kingdoms and Arab lands . Jumma Masjids existed in the Rashtrakuta empire by the 10th century and many Muslims lived and mosques flourished on the coasts , specifically in towns such as Kayalpattanam and Nagore . Muslim settlers married local women ; their children were known as Mappilas ( Moplahs ) and were actively involved in horse trading and manning shipping fleets . 
