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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Chaityalaya, in the precints of Galataji. The inscriptions16 of 12th century A.D. were noticed by the Author from an ancient temple situated on a hillock near the Balaji temple new Ghat (Jaipur). These were obviously removed from some ancient shrines. One bearing the date V.E. 1212, records the names of Sagar sena, Brahma sena, Chhatrasena and Ambar sena. The other inscription contains the names of Amrita sena, Sanyam sena Brahma sena, Yoga sena, etc. In Sanwalaji temple of Amer there are several ancient icons and Yantras. A bronze dated V.E.17 1234 was carved under orders of Bhattarak Bhuvan Kirti. On a bronze Chaubisi, there is an inscription of V.E. 1469 of Kastha Sangh. Several Yantras bearing the inscriptions of V.E. 1548, 1573, 1593, 1651 etc. have also been noticed. These were brought from Chatsu. The inscription of V.E. 1548 relates that during the reign of Sultan Gayasuddin of Malwa over Chatsu, a Yantra was consecrated. Other inscriptions refer to the reigns of Maharana Sanga and the Solankies of Toda. Thus these inscriptions give us a glimpse into the political up-heavals in the area.
The Kachhawas rose to power during Akbar's reign. Digambar Jains strove hard to propogate their religious thoughts. The fervour they created in the Delhi area for copying old religious MSS. permeated also in Dhundhar18 area. Bhonsa Mohandas, a trusted minister of Mirza Raja Jaisingh constructed a Vimalnath Jain temple at Amer in V. E. 1716. This temple is now famous as Jhuntharam's temple. One of the inscriptions19 of this temple bears the dates V. E 1714 and 1716 and is the only detailed Jain inscription known from Amer :
Among Shvetambar temples20, the Chandra Prabh temple contain several ancient sculptures bearing inscriptions of V. E. 1411, 1437, 1484, 1493, 1501, 1502, 1505, 1507, 1510, 1515, 1519, 1522 etc.
16. Edited by the Author in the Mahavir-Jayanti-Smarika 1972 Anekant
XIV No. 1 p. 3. 17. Anekant XVI No. 5 pp. 202-211. 18. Vir-Vani Vol. VII p. 74.