Chronology of Gujarat

SR No.: 006799
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M R Majumdar
Publisher: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
Publication Year: 1960
Total Pages: 494
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 10 MB

Page 113

KSATRAPA PERIOD
57
A.D.
C. 100
of the death of Mahāvira Vardhamāna Jnātāputra, the founder of the Nirgrantha or Jaina sect. It was 470 years before the Vikrama era, according to the Svetämbara Jainas, and 605 years before the Saka era, according to the Digambaras. Jaina tradition gives also the dates B.C. 545 and B.C. 467 for this event; but the latter year is at variance with Buddhist tradition which states that Mahāvīra died during Buddha's life-time.
Bhūmaka, the earliest known member of the Kşaharāta family of the Western Kşatrapas, ruled over Western India including Gujarat, as may be inferred from the provenance of his coins. He struck coins of copper. The obverse bears' the Arrow, Discus and Thunder-bolt type', which is continued by Nahapāna as the reverse type, of both his silver and copper coinages, and which, therefore, seems to be the distinctive badge of the Kşaharātas. The device on the reverse represents the capital of a pillar consisting of Wheel and Lion'.
The Kharoșthi legend on the obverse runs as Chaharadasa Chatrapasa Bhumakasa', and the Brāhmi? legend on the reverse is read as Kșaharātasa Kșatrapasa Bhūmakasa', both meaning Of Kşaharāta Kşatrapa Bhūmaka'.
Considerations of the type and fabric of the coins, and of the nature of the coin-legends, undoubtedly indicate that Bhūmaka preceded Nahapāna; but there is no evidence to show the relationship between them. (Rapson, C.I.C.B.M., cvii f, 63, f;D. C. Sircar, 'The Saka Satraps of Western India', The Age of Imperial Unity, pp. 178).
1 In one instance the legend on the reverse is suspected to be in Greek, instead of Brahmi.
In the first century A.D. or earlier than that, a group of Jaina nuns started from Sopāraka and came to Rājagriha for pilgrimage. Pūtigandhā, a fisherwoman (dhivari) was in this group. In course of time she became a Jaina nun and died peacefully in Nilaguphā (cave) of Rājagriha. 2
Vide, Jaina Tirtha aur Unki Yatra by Kamtaprasad Jain, as quoted in JTSS (Vol. II, P. 454).
Uşavadāta, the son-in-law of Nahapāna who had married his daughter Dakşamitrā has many charitable acts and works of public utility to his credit, which are mentioned in Nasik Inscriptions', X, XII and XIV.
C. 100
100-20
The charitable acts are the gift of 3,00,000 cows; of gold, and of river-side steps at the Barṇāsa or Banāsa river near Mt. Abu in North Gujarat; of 16 villages to Gods and Brāhmaṇas; the feeding of hundreds of thousands of Brāhmaņas every year, the giving in marriage of eight wives to Brāhmaṇas at Prabhāsa in South Saurāṣtra :
C8
Jain Education Interational