History of Jainism

SR No.: 006741
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: U K Sharma
Publisher: D K Print World
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 304
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 10 MB

Page 150

128
History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā
Kankālī Tīlā, Mathurā, first under Burgess, and thereafter under the direction of Fuhrer, should be viewed in the light of this background. Jaina antiquities kept on emerging from Kankālī Tīlā from 1888 to 1891.
Fuhrer's excavations in 1888-9 unearthed from KankālīTīlā oritsimmediate neighbourhood ten inscribed images of the jinas belonging to the Kuşāņa period, four of these being most important in respect of the history of Jainism; thirty-four pieces of sculpture forming parts of a Svetāmbara Jaina temple of the time of the Kuşāņa king Huviska; an image of Mahāvīra surrounded by the remaining twenty-three tīrthamkaras,48 two colossal images of jina Padmaprabhanātha dated vs 1038 and 1134;49 four basements of Jaina images bearing vs 1134, and numerous Buddhist antiquities. 50 In 1889-90, Fuhrer excavated from Kankälī Tīlā the remnants of a Jaina stupa and also of a Jaina temple belonging to the Digambara sect.51 During the working season of 1889-90, Fuhrer also excavated eighty images of the tīrthařkaras, one hundred twenty pieces of stone railings, many miscellaneous sculptures, and numerous inscriptions, seventeen of which belong to the Kusāna period. 52
Fuhrer's excavation work at Kankālīļīlābrought to light an overwhelmingly immense number of Jaina antiquities in 1890-1.53 In the winter season of 18901, Fuhrer forwarded to the Lucknow Museum seven hundred thirty-seven fine pieces of Jaina sculptures, comprising beautifully finished panels, doorways, toranas, columns, complete railings with copings and bars, images of the tīrthamkaras, etc. 54 Among the sculptures found was a torana bearing a relief which represents a stūpa worshipped by Kinnaras and Garuds or Suparnas.55 The excavation work conducted at Kankālī ļīlā by Fuhrer in 1890-1 was far
48. JS, p. 52 and plate XCIV. 49. Ibid., p. 53 and plates XCV and XCVI. 50. Ibid., Introduction, pp. 2-3. 51. Ibid., p. 3. 52. Ibid. 53. Ibid. 54. Ibid. 55. Ibid., p. 3 fn. 2 and plate XV.