Jainism in India

SR No.: 001667
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 150
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 14 MB

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JAINISM IN INDIA
this region and had ruled in the V.S. 11th century. Near the town there is a big lake which is still called Madanasagara and on whose banks were performed many a religious ceremony. At some later date the name must have changed into Ahar. The image-inscriptions that have been recovered from this region make mention of many sub-tribes like, Khandelwal, Jaiswal, Medwal, Lamecu, Paurpat (Parvar)-grhapati, Golapurba, Golarad, Awadhpuria, Gargrat, and others who were devoted to spiritual practices and had enjoyed immense affluence. It is highly significant that for the next seven hundred years till V.S. 1968 we have received innumerable images and inscriptions that suggest of the prosperity of the Jaina inhabitants, particularly of the Jaiswals and the Golapurvas. The Grhapatis who had installed the image of Santinatha in the Ahar region were Jainas and the Jaina current had flowed in their family from a past period. Devapala of this tribe had constructed the Sahasrakuta caitya at Banpur which is evident from an inscription dated V.S. 1237 on the Santinatha image. The construction of the caitya thus must have been completed before this date. The inscription contains several other names for the builders from the same family such as Devapala, Ratanpala, Ralhan, Golhan, Jahad and Udaichand, Golhan had constructed a shrine to Santinatha at Banpur and another at Madanasagarapura and the images were installed therein by his two sons, Jahad and Udaichand.
It is not known how the name of Madanasagarapura was changed into Ahara. None of the image-inscriptions contains the name of Pana Shah. Then how can it be said that temples, etc., were constructed by him or that the place was called Ahar for the offering of food (āhār) to the monks by him ? Investigation is necessary in this respect. Banpur which is at a distance of about 3 to 4 miles from Madanasagarapura and the Jatara village were also important centres of Jaina culture in the V.S. 12th and 13th centuries.
Gwalior--In the Jaina literature, present Gwalior is variously known as Gopayalu, Gopadri, Gopagiri, Gopacala, Gopalgarh. The place is rich in Hindu, Jaina and Buddhistic historical materials. It is said that the place is named Gwalior after a monk named Gwalio who had cured the founder of the fort, king Surajsen, of leprosy. But, we have mention of the existence of the Gwalior fort in the 6th century A.D. Vajradamana, a king of the Kacchapaghata or Kachabaha dynasty who was devoted to Jainism, had installed a Jaina image here. This is supported by an inscription on the back of the image. But it is not known if other rulers of the same dynasty did extend their cooperation for the preservation
and propagation of the Jaina religion. Gwalior was later conquered