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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Ramdeva from Ajmer warned Jains to conceal their icons under sand dunes so as to save them from the fury of religious intolerance, Several old sites of the Sapadlaksa area still have many inscribed icons, attributable to the Chauhan period.
The Abu inscription of V.E. 1187 (1130 A.D.) speaks of a Shresthi, Ambdeva of Paladi, who constructed a Devakulika in the Vimal Vasati. The Jalore inscription 13 of V.E. 1239 (1182 A.D.) records that the three sons Yashovir, Yashoraj and Jagadhar of a Shrimali Shresthi Yashodeva constructed the beautiful Mandap of the temple. The Kumar Vihar14 temple of Jalore has inscriptions dated V.E. 1221, 1242, 1256 and 1268. They are rich in information and tell us that this temple was renovated in V.E. 1242 by Bhandhari Pansu's son Yashovir. From Mungathala, Marol, Gohali, Nana, Ajari, Nandia (all in district Sirohi) Nagaur, Medta, Ladnu, Phalodi, Kekind etc. several inscribed sculptures of the 12th century A.D. have been discovered. The inscriptions on them are fragmentary and do not reveal full names of the families which had the idols installed. (d) Inscriptions of the family of Vimal Shah.
The Vimal Vasati, the famous Jain temple of Delawara (Abu) was constructed by Pragvat Vimal Shah in V.E. 1088. The VividhTirth Kalpa records that the Paramar chief Dhandhuka of Abu, being displeased with Bhimdeva Chalukya I of Gujarat went to Chittor where Paramar Bhoj was residing. Vimal Shah went there and brought Dhandhuka back to Abu. On his return he constructed a Jain temple named Vimal Vasati at Abu. The Vimal14A Vasati inscription of V.E. 1378 (1321 A.D.) mentions V.E. 1088 as the date of construction of the temple. According to a Jaisalmer15 inscription of V.E. 1497, construction was undertaken at the instance of Vardhaman Suri. It is believed that at the time of its consecration, 4 Acharyas of various gachchhas were present. Details of the descendants of Vimal Shah are not fully known. In the inscription of 16 V.E. 1394 of Vimal Vasati Abhay singh is
13. Jin Vijay No. 351 14. ibid No. 352 14-A. Abu II No. 1 15. Nahar III No. 2139. 16. Abu II No. 92,