________________
(XII) With the foundation of Anabilavada by Vanarāja Chāvado, Jainism received a great impetus. Vanarāja who was sheltered by a Jain monk in his days of adversity, built a temple to Panchásarā Parsvanátha in Anabilaváda. Chámpo and Labira were some Jain ministers of the Chāvadās.
Vimala Shāh, the famous temple builder, was a Dandanāyaka of Bhima I, popularly known a8 Bhima Bānāvali. Karna, the successor of Bhima I, continued his patronage to Jainism and made grants of land to some Jain temples.
In matters of religion, the kings of Gujarata were very tolerant. Though most of them were not Jains, they thought it their duty to patronize Jainism as it was embraced by an influential section of their subjects. Thus Jainism was patronized by the Maitrakas of Valabhi and the Chāvadās, Solankis and Vāghelas of Anabilavada.
In the following pages, I have given a brief account of the activities of the Jains in different fields and their contribution to the cultural life of Gujarat in the mediaeval period (i. e. roughly between 1100 A. D. and 1600 A. D.).
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
