Sramana 1996 01

SR No.: 525025
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ashok Kumar Singh
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 122
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Sramana, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 116

श्रमण
Jain Archaeology and Epigraphy*
Prof. K. D. Bajpai**
The archaeological and historical studies during the last 150 years have brought to light the importance of Jaina architecture, sculpture, painting and epigraphs. These studies have in a large measure, corroborated the evidences known from the literary and other sources. The significance of the variegated Jaina source material for the study of Indian History & Culture, is now widely acknowledged.
The stone Age tools and the pre-historic rock paintings, have been discoverd in different regions of the country. Painted rock shelters are largely known from the valleys of rivers Betwa, Narmada and Chambal. They have thrown interesting light on the archaic culture of India. Some of the rock paintings represent the earliest activity in the field of pictorial art in the country. Several representation of symbols were adopted from the archaic rock paintings by the artists of the historical times. Indian art of the historical period bears several of these symbols.
The relices of the Harappan culture and various chaleothic cultures in other parts of the contry have clearly indicated that both the plastic and pictorial art developed during the protohistoric times.
The history of Indian art from the Maurya period onwards represents a harmonious blend of the religious and secular trends Religion undoubtedly began to play a leading role in almost all the spheres of life and thought. The field of fine arts could not remain an exception.
From the beginning of the 2nd century B. C., Bhakti movement made a mark in the socio-religious life of the country. It is discernible not only in the Vedic-Purāņic religion, but also in Jainism and Buddhism. It was largely responsible for a brisk activity in art and * A paper presented by the author at the occassion of the Golden Jubilee of the
Pārsvanatha Vidyapitha, in the First Conference of All India Association of Prākrta and Jaina Studies.