The Karnataka country is linguistic, geographical and cultural Unit of remote antiquity. Comprising as it does the central and western parts of the Deccan. Karnataka has been the meeting place of various races and cultures which became merged and transfigured to form a distinct culture-pattern. The ancient divisions of this country like Maharashtra, Konkana, Aparanta, Kuntala Vanavasi, Punnadu and Erumainadu possess a historical unity and cultural affinity giving a distinct stamp to what may be called the Karnataka culture. The various racial types of the country the Malamids, the Malids, the Weddids, the Gondids, the Indids have all contributed to the glory of the country. The essence of culture is sublimation and spiritualisation. Therefore the primary contribution of Karnataka to world-culture is particularly in the field of religion and philosophy. Though it is as yet, too premature to evaluate the contribution made by the Karnataka people to the essentially Indian and possibly the oldest culture in the world viz, the culture of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, the eternal problems of metaphysics were settled in the Karnataka country. The great Shankaracharya, enunciated the doctrine of the One, Madhwacharya, elucidated the problem of the Many, and Ramanujacharya and Basaveshwara settled the question of the Many in the one and the one in the Many. Buddhism was living religion here up to thirteenth century. Jainism has found a congenial atmosphere in this country and inspired the works of literature, art and philosophy. Therefore religious toleration has been the watchword of the people throughout history. The inscriptions even as late as the 14th century give an indisputable evidence that in the same family Jainism, Buddhism, Saivism, Vaishnavism could be practised by the different members without hindrance.