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CHAPTER 111
A SURVEY OF THE STRUCTURAL TEMPLES OF PRE-CAULUKYAN
TIMES
(i) The period of the Mauryan rule (c. 322 B. C.-185 B. C.)
This period marks the beginning of the historical period of Gujarat. The supramacy of Candragupta Maurya ( 322-298 B. C.), extended over both Anarta and Surāstra. The continuance of the Mauryan rule under Aśoka is attested to by the Girnar and Sopara versions of his Fourteen Rock Edicts. 1
The known structures of this period are in the form of the extinct Sudarśana lake at Girinagara2 and the extant caves known as Bāwā Pyāraś Math in its vicinity. 8 No remajns of, or even references to any structural temples are available so far.
(ii) The period of the Indo-greek rule (c. 185 B. C.-78 A. D.)
After the break-up of the Mauryan Empire (c. 185 B. C.) Gujarat seems to have passed under the power of Indo-Greek kings such as Apollodotus and Menandar, whose coins were in use at Barygaza or Bharukaccha upto the time of the Periplus.4 This period has not left remains of any temples but the Jain traditions have preserved an account of the 1 CHG. p. 29. 2. Junagadha Rock Inscription of Rudradāmana: AKK. p. 128. 3. Sankalia H. D. AG. p. 49. 4. CHG. p. 41.
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