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 297

JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA In spite of this variety of form and structure both the Satrunjaya and the Gimnar groups, basting a few Jaina caves beside the modern monastery or Math known as Bawa Pyara's Math in the east of Junagadh, do not possess any historical record or monument which can be traced back with any success. Even if there had been any such record left,"Full four centuries of Muslim rule have obliterated most of the traces of antiquity." 2 As single edifices illustrating the beauty of the Jaina art both in grace of design and patient elaboration of workmanship may be mentioned the towers of Fame and Victory at Chitor, and the temples of Mount Abu The latter Tirtha, or sacred place of rendezvous, for minute delicacy of carving and beauty of detail stands almost unrivalled even in this land of patient and lavish labour. Likewise we may mention the Tirtha of Samet Sikhar or Parasnath m Bengal, of Ranpur, near Sadari, in Rajputana, of Pavapuri, wath its holy temples of Jalmandar and Thalmandar in Patna, and so on; but most of these architectural remains of the Jainas, showing the love of the picturesque on their part," belong either to the fust or great age of Jaina architecture, which extended down to about the year 1800, or perhaps a little after that," 4 or "to the middle style of Jaina architecture " 5 revived in the fifteenth century, especially under the reign of Kumbba, one of the most powerful of the kings of the Mewar dynasty, whose favourite capital was Chitor. But enhghtening as it would be to follow the architectural, antiquarian and mythological interest attached to all these magnificent monuments of the Jainas, it would be departing from our purpose. Just as with most of the architectural so also with the pictorial remains of the Jainas there is hardly anything which can be included in our survey here. No doubt specimens of Indian art, which have evolved under the austere influence of Jainism, are found in the shape of illustrated manuscripts, in works of Jaina theology or legends, and also in the shape of old "letters of apology" or Kshamapana or Vynapti-paira, which the Jaina laity and clergy prepared with so much care and embellishment for sending them to 1 C Burgess, A SIT.1, 1874-1875, pp 140-141, Plate XIX, etc. "There is no trace of distinctavely Buddhist symbolism here, and, like the others, they were probably of Jama Origin"-Fergusson, op cit, p 81 Tond * Thalmandar , according to priests, 29 bult on the spot where Mahavira died, the Jalmondar being the place of his cremation"-BOD GP, P 224 Fergusson, op at, p 59 Cf. tbid, p. 72 Iord ,p 60 246