Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

SR No.: 001596
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ramvallabh Somani
Publisher: Rajasthan Prakrit Bharti Sansthan Jaipur
Publication Year: 1982
Total Pages: 350
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Art, & History
File Size: 17 MB

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of Rishabhdeva was built by a Jain Sangh consisting of Shresthis Megh, Visal Kelha, Nimba, Bhim, Katuk etc. Kelha's son Suri got the icon of Kunthnath installed in29 V.E. 1489 (1432 A.D.), which is now preserved in the Shitalnath temple Udaipur. An affluent family that lived here was that of Ramdeva Navalakha. Ramdeva and his son Sahanpal both served as ministers of the rulers of Mewar. The earliest reference to Ramdeva is found in a Vijnapti Lekh30 of V.E. 1431 (1374 A.D.) from Kareda Jain temple, as a devotee of the Kharatargachchha. In V.E. 1469 (1412 A.D.) the icons of Jinaraj Suri and Merunandan Upadhyaya were set up at Devakulapatak by Meladevi, the wife of Ramdeva. Later she consecrated the icon31 of Jinvardhan Suri in V.E. 1486. A MS of the Sandeh Dolawali32 Vriti was copied here in V.E. 1486 under her orders. Sahanpal installed several33 icons in V. E. 1491 (1434 A.D.), 1494 (1437 A.D.) etc. A patta of Satrunjaya with the scene of the “Mor-Nag-Kurika'34 was set up by him in V.E. 1491 (1434 A. D.). The family of Jain Picholiyas too was a powerful. Several icons were installed by its members in the year
V. E. 1494 (1437 A. D.) and also in 1504 (1447 A. D.). The most important inscription pertaining to the management of the Jain temples of the place is dated V.E. 1491 (1434 A.D.). It mentions that 14 Tankas35 were to be levied for the worship of the icon of Dharma Chintamani housed in this Jain temple.
Nagada :
Nagada is now a totally depopulated town. But there are still several Jain temples standing on the site. It was originally a centre of Digambar Jains. The temple situated on the top of the nearby hill belongs to the Digambar sect, perhaps built in
29. Vijaydbarma Suri--Jain Lekh-Sangraha (Bhavanagar) I No 148. 30. Jin Vijay-Vijnapti-Lekh-Sangrah (SJGM). p. 1-13. 31. Maharana Kumbha by the author p. 370-72. 32. ibid p. 333. 33. Vijayadharma Suri-Devakulapatak (Bhavnagar 1935) inscription No. 9. 34. ibid No. 13. 35. Vijay Dharma Suri-Devakulapatak p. 26/Nahar II No. 2006.