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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western Rajasthan and northern Gujarat. Therefore, it seems more plausible that their early settlements were situated in the western part of Rajasthan. Several important Jain families celebrated for their meritorious deeds in Gujarat, Abu and Marwar, belong to this caste. Some of them also claim to have migrated22 from Bhinmal. Vimal Shah constructed the Vimal-Vasati etc. in the 11th century A. D. Vastupal and Tejpal constructed many splendid temples including the Lunig-Vasati of Abu, Dharana-Shah built the temple of Ranakpur. They all belong to this caste.
This caste is older than the others, as we have hinted. It was formed before the 8th century A. D. Some names of the gotras seem to have derived from some famous ancestors. For example the word23 “Sahil-Samtaniya” (descendants of Sahil) indicates similar fact.
The Palliwal, Bagherwal, Chittora, Nagada, Narsinghpuria, etc. are other important castes of the Jains. who are definitely associated with the towns named24 Pali, Baghera, Chittor, Nagada and Narsinghpur, respectively. Agrawals are both Digambars and Vaishnavas, “Agrotakanvaya”, Agrawal etc. are names that occur in old records for this caste. Several Jain inscriptions of Digambar Jain Agrawals have been found in Udaipur, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur and Bikaner areas.
(f) Other Jain communities :
Among other Jain castes the Modhs, Gurjars, Bhavasars, Nagars, etc. are mostly found in Gujarat. A few inscriptions issued
22. The Kasindra inscription of V. E. 1091 (1034 A. D.) refers to movement of
the family of Shresthi Golanchhi from Bhinmal (Jin Vijay No. 427/Abu V. No. 621).
23. Abu II No. 243
24. Dolat Singh Lodha refers to 52 gotras of the Palliwals (Palliwal Jain Trihas
p. 27).