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THE INTERIORS OF SOME
FIFTEENTH CENTURY
JAINA TEMPLES OF RAJASTHAN M.A. DHAKY
The end of the 13th century witnessed augmented, the zeal for building temples is wanton defilement and destruction of some once more and everywhere in evidence in 300 or odd Jaina temples in Western India that those territories were founded between the eighth and the 13th In Saurastra the architectural activity was century A.D. From the desecrated Jaina temple mainly concentrated on Ujjayantagiri (Mt. complexes, vast quantities of material, Giranar) and in Läta on Mt. Påvå (Pavagadh). particularly the decorated columns and Some of the larger centers in Northern Gujarat ceilings, were purloined to build the many were Antarsuba Polo and Samalaji. In mosques of the post-conquest and Sultanate Rajasthan, in the kingdom of the Guhilas, the periods in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The opening foremost sites were Citrakuta (Citaud). years of the 14th century saw the destruction of Karhetaka (Karhada). Devakulapátaka the most haloed of the Jaina tirthas of the (Dalvada). Kelvada. Kumbhalameru mediaeval times, Satrunjaya-giri. While under (Kumbhalner). Ränakapur, Hammirpur, special circumstances the reconstructions and Varakana, and Deulvada-gråma (Delvada) on new additions at these sacred hills did begin Mt. Abu. In the Bhatti region the most notable after A.D. 1313, rather timidly and on puny temples were built on the plateau of Jesalmer. scale, the process failed to gather momentum By inherent limitations of space available for, and for the rest of the 14th century there and time devotable to the preparation of the virtually followed a lull in the building activities. present Souvenir, this article is restricted to From the first quarter of the 15th century AD focus briefly on the highlights of some of the
less known architectural splendours of the Socio-religious conditions improved in selected Jaina temples at only four places, namely areas in Western India, for example in the Hammirpur. Varakana, Kelvada, and Jesalmer. territories of the independent Rajaprata The 15th century is perhaps the least chieftains and monarchs such as the investigated, and hence less discussed for its Cudasamas of Jirnadurga (Junagadh) in architecture. The existing buildings, despite a Saurastra and the Ravalas of Pavagadh in the gap virtually of 75 years between the preceding Lätadeśa, both in Gujarat, and even more phase, apparently carries over the main importantly within the powerful monarchy of the schema.known forms and associated Guhilas of Medapata (Mevāda) as well as in decorative elements. And these doubtless the principality of the Bhattis of Jaisalameru show signs of progressive decadence in art. (Jesalmer). With stability returned and However, this century also is innovative in opulence of the Jaina communities matter of the configurations of plans, structural
forms, decorative ideas, as in the manipulation of them all. For example the valánaka assumes greater importance and correspondingly also the scale and richness; so also is case of the bhadra-pråsådas which are usually disposed at the transversals of the rangamandapas-halls for the theatrical purposes - and in similar situations sometimes also with the gudhamandapas or closed halls. Also, the bhadraprasadas are sometimes provided with their own partial or fuller mandapas harmonized with and enhancing the over all effects of the interiors. The jala-lattice of the sikhara changes in its minutae, and the rathika-panels of the Sikhara are replaced by purely decorative, and hence unfunctional, balconies. The pillars of the halls manifest new varieties and oftener the emphasis of the earlier periods on figurative in their ornamentation is shifted to geometric and vegetal, this apparently was due to the impact of, or concession to the influence of Islam. The ceilings now are less rich in variety and their components and elements are further hardened. However, the lambana-pendant of the great central ceilings of the halls show a new development, of the filigree like treatment of the triangular crest of their component kola cusps and coffers.
The most famous, just as the most impressive building of this period for its scale is the Caturmukha Dharanvihára (A.D. 1449 ff.) at Ranakpur. It is relatively well illustrated and
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