Jainism in North India

SR No.: 011067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Chimanlal J Shah
Publisher: Longmans Green and Compny London
Publication Year: 1932
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

Page 244

MATHURA INSCRIPTIONS pages of the lost history.1 The direct amount of information which they give belongs to an early and very interesting period--just before and after the Christian era-when, as we learn from the Chinese authorities, the Indo-Scythians had conquered the whole of Northern India, although the actual extent of their conquest was quite unknown, Hence the great value of the present inscriptions, from which we learn that the permanent occupation of Mathura had been effected some time before the Samvat year 9, when the IndoScythian prince Kanishka filled the throne of North-West India and the Punjab." 2 Most of the Jaina inscriptions from Mathura are from the mound known as Kankali Tila, about half-a-mile due south from the Katra, which is situated just one mile to the westward of the old fort of Mathura. The Kankali mound seems to have been a very extensive one; the number of statues of all sizes, from the colossal downwards, which it has yielded has scarcely been surpassed by the prolific returns of Buddhist sculpture from the Jail mound. There seems to have been two magnificent temples where the mound rises at present. Most of the inscriptions are incised on pedestals or bases of naked Jinas either seated or standing, and some of which form a quadruple or a four-faced image called Caturmukha. Chronologically the earliest inscription, according to Dr Buhler, is the following one: समनस माहरखितास सांतवासिस पछीपुत्रस सावकास (सावकास) उतरदासक[1]स पासादोतोरनं // "An ornamental arch for the temple (the gift) of the layhearer Utaradasaka (Uttaradasaka), son of the Vachi (Vatsi mother and) disciple of the ascetic Maharkhita (Magharakshita)." 4 Because of exceedingly archaic characters and other linguistic peculiarities the learned scholar feels that it may be assigned to the middle of the second century BC. Next in age come the two inscriptions that are connected with the Satraps of Mathura. Of 1 The Buddhistical inscriptions at Mathurt also are similar to the Jama inscriptions in therr style and contents of Dawson, J.RAS (New Series), , P 182 . Cunningham, ASI, 1, pp 88-89 : Cf hd, 46 "The Kankali Tila has been prolific both in sculptures and Inscriptions, all of wluch a re pure Jaina monuments On the upper level stands a large Joina temple dedicated to Jambt Svam an annual fair is held at this place. "--Ind.p 19 This temple is near the Chaurasi mounds, which is the seat of another Jaina establishment Cf abad , xv, P 112 * Bihler, EI, 6, Ins No I, pp 198-109 Ind, p 195. 195