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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A brief account of these places based mainly on epigraphical evidence is given below :
Ajmer
Ajmer was founded by Chauhan Ajayraj before V.E. 1170 (1113 A.D.). The Prithviraj-VijaylA narrates that its Pratishtha took place sometime before the death of Ajayaraj, which occured in V.E. 1189 (1132 A.D.). It seems that older habitations named Prithvipura or Pugeri, existed here as is apparent from the colophon of MS Avasyaka-Niryukti2 copied during the reign of Arnoraj in V.E. 1198 (1141 A.D.). Poet Palha, who completed3 his work in V.E. 1170 (1113 A.D.) gives an account of the construction of Parshwanath temple at Ajmer. An inscription4 of V.E. 1175 (1118 A.D.) incised on the pedestal of an icon (now in the Jain temple of Bikaner) records the name of the town as Ajayapur. Both Shvetambar and Digambars had close association with the place. Ainong Shvetambars, the Khartaragachchha and Dharmaghoshgachchha had their influence in the royal circles. Jinadatta Suri of Kharatargachchha5 breathed his last in Ajmer. His foot prints were installed on stone in the stup known as “Dadawari.” It is said that Dharmaghosh Suri obtained “Jayapatra" after defeating the Digambars in a public debate. A temple of Mahavir was also built at Ajmer,6 as is reported in an inscription dated V.E. 1221 of the Jain temple of Phalodi ( Medta-Road ). A religious discussion was held in the court of Chauhan Prithviraj III at Narena in 1239 (1182 A.D.) between Jinapatti Suri of Kharatargachchha and Padma-Prabha of Chaityavasi at the instance of Sluresthi Ramdeva of Ajmer. A Jain temple inscription dated V.E. 1237 ( 1180 A.D.) of Hastinapur speaks of a Khandelwal?
1A. Prithviraj Vijay- Chapter V-192 2. A Catalogue of MSS in the Jain Bhandars of Patan (GOS) p. 129
Apabhransa-Kavya-Trayi (GOS) pp. 110-112. Prithviraj Chauhan by the Author pp. 16-17. Kharatargachchha-Pattavali pp. 25 to 33. Jin Vijay No. 444. Jain Lekh Sangraha Vol. V. No. 109.