Jain Journal 1993 04

SR No.: 520110
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 67
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 51

Studies on Jaina Art -a Brief Survey and Prospects -
Maruti Nandan Tiwari
Jainism as one of the three principal religions of India has contributed immensely to the field of Indian art. The study of Jaina art has drawn considerable interest of the scholars both from India and abroad for well over past fifty years. As a consequence, the studies of different aspects of Jaina art, including architecture, iconography and painting-have been published in the forms of numerous books, monographs and articles. Among the earliest scholars, the mention may be made of A. Cunningham, J. Burgess, V. A. Smith, T. N. Ramachandran, D, R. Bhandarkar and few others. A. Cunningham in his reports published valuable data about some of the Jaina sites namely, Mathura, Khajuraho, Gwalior and Budhi Canderi, Cunningham, besides giving the correct identification of some of the Tirthankara images, also published the inscriptions. The works of subsequent scholars were confined mainly to the Jaina antiquities and inscriptions from Mathura. G. Bühler (1892-94) published articles on Jaina inscriptions from Mathura, besides an article on Jaina sculptures. The discussions on Jaipa dyāgapatas, Naigameşi and a narrative pațța showing the scene of transfer of embryo from the life of Mahavira are of particular interest. The Kuşāna Jaina inscriptions distinctly show that the Jaina art activity of Mathura was a mass activity, ? joined alike by the sreşthin, särthaväha, gandhika (perfume seller), suvarnakāra, vardhakin, lauhakarmaka, nāvika, nartaka and veśyās. V. A. Smith (1901) published the first exhaustive work on Mathura entitled The Jaina and Other Antiquities o: Mathurā wherein the detailed and authentic study has been done of Jaina āyāgapatas and Tirthankara images, besides discussion on the antiquity of Jaina stūpa of Mathura.
1 A. Cunningham, Archaeological Survey of India - Annual Report, 1964-65, Vol. II
and III. 2 G. Bühler, New Jaina Inscriptions from Mathura', Epigraphia Indica, Vol. Il ;
Further Jaina Inscriptions from Mathura', Epigraphia Indica, Vols. I and II;
Specimens of Jaina Sculptures from Mathura', Epigraphia Indica, Vol. II. 3 V. A. Smith, The Jaina Stupa and Other Antiquities of Mathura, Varanasi, 1969
(Rep.)