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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Shresthis Ramdeva, Nimba, Visal Megh, Kelha, Bhim, Katuka etc. had successful business there. Maharana Lakha indeed encouraged businessmen to come and settle in Mewar.
There are many inscriptions set up by the family of Ramdeva in Dalawara and Nagada. The Som-Saubhagya Kavya mentions that in V.E. 1450, when Som sundar Suri visited Delawara Maharana Lakha, together with his son Chunda and his minister Ramdeva went to receive him. Ramdeva seems to have died during the reign of Maharana Mokal. He had two wives, Meladevi and Malhandevi. From a colophon of V.E. 1486 recorded in a MS. of the Sandeha-Dolawali56 Virti, we gather Meladevi still living till that date. This family spent lavishly on installation of several icons. A copy of the Ms. Vignapti-Lekh57 of Kareda temple dated V.E. 1431 was made by Meru-nandan-Upadhyaya, at Kelawara. Its colophon records the names of Ramdeva and Meladevi. On Merunandan's death, his icon was installed in Delawara58 in V.E. 1469 by Meladevi. It was consecrated by Jinvardhan Suri. In V.E. 1486, Meladevi commissioned icons of Jinvardhan59 Suri and Dronacharya,60 which were consecrated by Jinchandra Suri. We do not have any reference to Meladevi, thereafter. The son in-law of Ramdeva was Visal, who was belonging to the illustrious family of Shresthi Vatsaraj of Idar. An account of one of his brothers, Govind is given in detail in the Som Saughagya Kavya. Visal's wife Khimai and sons Dhir and Champaka are mentioned in the inscriptions of the Jain temple of Machind dated V.E. 1494. These inscriptions have been recently61 published by the Author. A big temple, named ManorathKalpadrum was built in Chittor by this family, A detailed account of the celebrations that took place during its Pratistha-Mahotsava is
55. The Som-Saubhagya-Kavya (Gujarati Trans) V-104-107.
56. Vijaydharma Suri-Deva kulapataka (1935) p. 22 fn.
57. The Vignapti-Lekh-Sangraha (SJGM) p. 7-10
58. Vijaydharama Suri-op. cit. inscription No. 17.
59. ibid inscription No. 11.
60. ibid inscription No. 10.
61. The Sodh-Patrika Vol. XXIX No. 2 p. 56