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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Pindawara :
It is one of the oldest towns of Sirohi district. It has an old temple of Sun God now locally known as the temple of Laxminarayan. The inscriptions, one dated V. E. 1234 (1177 A.D.) now lying in a Jain temple, and the other of V. E. 1274 (1217 A. D.), were discovered from this site. The Mahavir Jain temple is also old. It was renovated in V. E. 1465 (1408 A. D.) by Kumarpal,28 the father of Dharana Shah of Ranakpur. There is a sculpture to the right of the Rang Mandap which according to its inscription dated V. E. 1469 (1412 A. D.)29 was set up by Ratna and Dharana.
There is30 a stone slab in the Sabha-Mandap, which records the installation of the icon of Vardhaman in V. E. 1465. The layout of the temple is truely impressive. It is an imposing, massive structure. In a village called Siwara near Pindawara, there is another old Jain temple dedicated to Shantinath erected in V. E. 1109 (1052 A. D.), as is evident from its inscription. This temple has a noteworthy sculpture of Parshwanath. There are a few more inscriptions dated V.E. 1198 (1141 A.D) to 1224 (1167 A, D.) on several other icons in the temple.
Vasantgarh :
Vasantgarh is another ancient town. An old inscription dated V. E, 682 (625 A.D.) was recovered from here, which reported the construction31 of a temple to the mother goddess during the reign of Varmalat. The oldest known Jain bronze sculpture dated V.E. 744 (687 A. D.) bearing the name of its sculptor Shivanag32 was also found here. Its discovery created quite a stir in the art-world. Many other bronzes were unearthed with it at the time of the excavation at this place.
28. Abu V No. 374. 29. ibid No. 375. 30. PRASWC 1905-6 Para 51. 31. E. I. Vol. IX p. 12. 32. Abu V No. 365.