________________
THE JAINA GAZETTE
VOL. XXV ) Nos. 10 & 11 )
MADRAS: OCTOBER & NOVEMBER, 1929
WHOLE (Nos. 292 & 893
Vastupala, the Great Minister of
Gujarat.
BY
Umrao Singh Tank. IN the long range of the Jaina ministers and generals, Vastupala 1 is perhaps the most interesting figure. His wonderful personality stands forth unrivalled in all its glory and greatness evoking admiration of every one who cares to go through the record of his life. He appears to have been a wise statesman, a valiant soldier, an ardent lover of art and an enthusiastic adorer of the divine muse. His charity knew no limit and his generosity recognised no distinction. Though himself a Jaina, he favoured all sects and creeds and even built mosques for the Mahomedans the much-despised Mlechchhas of the thirteenth century.
Vastupala came of a distinguished Pragvata (Porward) family of Anhilwad-Patan. His ancestors had been councillors to the Kings of Gujarat. His father Asvaraja married a young beautiful widow named Kumaradevi who bore him four sons Luniga 2 Malladeva, Vastupala and Tejahpala and saven daugh
1 Dalal and Shastry, Naranarayananda, Introd. p. 1.
2. Luniga died in infancy. Malladeva also seems to have died young
28
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
