Structural Temples of Gujarat

SR No.: 006728
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kantilal F Sompura
Publisher: Gujarat University Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 868
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 31 MB

Page 125

CHAPTER 11
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE STRUCTURAL TEMPLES IN PRE-AND PROTO-HISTORIC TIMES
(i) Prehistoric Times - Stone Ages.
Archaeological explorations and excavations have unearthed the prehistory of Gujarat, from the stone Ages, especially in the Paleolithic Age and the Microlithic Age. But the remains of these prehistoric cultures do not contain any structures that may be styled temples in the modern sense of the term. 1
(ii) Protohistoric Times.
(a) Copper-Bronze Age
The well excavated structural remains of this period are available in the form of some brick-built structures unearthed at Lothal in the Ahmedabad District. These remains seem to represent residential buildings, hardly containing remanants of any temple structures. Nor do the archaeological explorations and excavations disclosed at Rangapur, Somnatha, Rozadi, Bhagatarav and other sites in Gujarat show indications of any temple structures of this period.
(b) Puranic Age.
The traditional accounts, preserved in the Puranas (that appear of late origin in their extant form) record the existence of some temples in the time of Krisna-Vasudeva,2 Aristnemi and Mahavirasvami.3
1. Sanklia H. D 'Investigation into Prehistoric Archaeology of Gujarat' & Subbarao B. The Personality of India.' 2. Harivamsa, ch. 58 vv. 15, 16, (Ed. Kalayāṇa)
Jinaprabha Sūri, 'Vividhatirthakalpa', (completed in V. S. 1389) Ujjayantamahātirthakalpa (Singhi Jain grantha mā¦ã no. 10) pp. 8-9.
Satrunjaya Mahatmya,' The tradition records that Dhanesvara Süri composed this work in V. S. 477 at Valabhipur (JSSI. p. 134). But the work contains the account of Caulukya King Kumarapala (1144-74 A. D.), Bahada, Vastupala, Sama asa and others and so it is definite that the work is of later origin, probably composed during 14th cent. A. D. (MG. p. 487) 3. Jinasena Sūri i. e. A. D. 783-84)
Hari Vamsa Purana; (Composed in Saka
yea: 705;