________________
[ 63
signature of Rathor Durgadas, records a land grant to Sewags Hirderam, Gopinath etc.
(ii) A copper plate of V. E. 1761 (1704 A. D.) issued again from the camp at Lotana to Sewags Uderam, Rikhabdev etc. recording a land grant and several tax concessions.
(ii) A grant issued on Jyesth Sudi 14 V. E. 1729 (1672 A. D.) by Maharaja Sasawantsingh to the Bhojaks Mahidas, Sivdas Basato and Kishor.
These Bhojaks had close associations with the Oswals serving them as priests during marriages and other occassions.
(ii) Mahatma :
The Mathen or Mahatma is another important caste closely associated with Jains. It is not clear when and how this caste came into being. The Mathens were excellent scribes. Several MSS copied by them are preserved in the Jain Bhandars of Bikaner and other towns. Some inscriptions pertaining to persons of this caste, available in Jain temples and cenotaphs are as under:
(i) The Chintamani temple of Bikaner30 has preserved two inscriptions, dated V. E. 1684 (1627 A. D.) and V. E. 1778 (1721 A. D.). The first inscription, which is engraved in the circumabulatory passage mentions the name of Sadarang Mathena. The other inscription, which is inscribed on a pillar, records the names of the Mathen Bhau and Bholadeva. A Mathen31 family of Jonapur had visited Abu in V. E. 1483 (1426 A. D.) as is apparent from the inscriptions of Vimal Vasati. This record also uses the word "Thakur" for Mathen Mohan's son Viranath. This indicates that he was enjoying a respectable position. The epithet “Thakur" was perhaps given by some ruling family.
30. Bikaner No. 24/25
31, Abu II No. 176.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
