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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issued by this caste belongs to the 11th century A. D.,7 it would be reasonable to assume its origin between 8th and 10th centuries A D.
The following epigraphical and literary evidence could be quoted in support of our statement :
(1) Karmashah of Chittor renovated the temple of Shatrunjaya and had an inscription dated V. E. 1587 (1530 A. D.) engraved there. This inscription records that Bappabhatta Suri (8th century A. D.), who propagated his religious doctrines during the rule of the Pratihars, made Ammaraj, his disciple. This Ammaraj had a queen, who belonged to the Mahajan (Vaishya) caste, whose descendants, later on, came to be known as Kotharis (Oswals).
(2) The Nadlai inscription of V.E. 1557 (1500 A.D.) similarly records that Chauhan Lakhan (10th century A.D.) of Nadol had a queen of the Mahajan (Vaishya) caste, whose off-springs, later on became known as the Bhandaris. The Puratan-Prabandh Sangraha, which was composed between the 13th and the 15th centuries A.D., contains a similar account concerning the origin of the Bhandaris.
The Jain-Acharyas of the Kharataragachchha were busy from the 12th to 14th centuries A.D. converting many powerful and influential families to Jainism. These came to be known as Oswals. The names of Vardhaman Suri, Jineshvar Suri, Abhayadeva Suri, Jinvallabh Suri, Jindatta-Suri, Jinchandra Suri, Jinpati Suri, Jinkushal Suri, Jinbhadra Suri etc. are noteworthy in this connection. A good number of were gatras formed by these Acharyas. We find references of converting several Maheshwariio families to Jainism. Early history and other details of individual gotras of Oswals are not fully known as literary and epigarphical records concerning these gotras are fragmentary and imperfect. But it is
7. Jain Tirth-Sarva-Sangraha Vol. I pt. II pp. 173-174. 8. The Shatrunjaya-Tirthoddhar- Prabandh Introduction/E. I. Vol. II p. 42. 9. Jin Vijay No. 336/The Prabandh on Rao Lakhan also contains similiar fact. 10. The Kharatargachchha-Pattavali p. 24/The Prithviraj Chauhan and His
Times p. 159 by the Author.