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The Jaina Antiquary
I Vol. XIV Furlong that "All Up or, Western, North Central India was then-say 1500 to 800 B. C. and, indeed, from unknown times--ruled by Turanians, convinient called Dravids and given to tree, serpent and Phalik worship...... but there also then existed thoughout Upper India an ancient and highly organised religion, philosophikal, ethikal and severely ascetikal, viz., Jainism, out of which clearly developed the early ascetikal features of Brahmanism and Buddhism."11 Thus Dravidians, too, were under the influence of Jainism from a. very carly period and as such, if they are the real founders of Indus civilisation, they would naturally betray the influence of Jainism in their creations.
The antiquities of Mohenjodaro & Harappa, if studied in keeping the above facts in view and giving credit to the Jaina tradition that Jainism prevailed long before Parsvanātha and Mahavira, betray evidence of the Jaina influence in the following aspects : -
1. Nudin-Nudity had been an essential characteristic of the Jaina Sramanas,19 Rishabha, the first Tirthankara, observed the vow of the nudity and his images are found as nude. People of Mohenjodaro also held nudity with esteein and as a sacred thing. Nude figures of male as well as of a certa'n leniale are found at Mohenjodaro. These figures depict personages who are but no other than Yogis. 1 3
2. Yogadharma-A number of statuettes have been recovered at Mohenjo which are characteristic by halfshut eyes, the gaze being fixed on the tip of the nose. "These statuettes clearly indicate that ...... the people of the Indus Valley in the Chalcolithic period not only practised Yoga but worshipped the images of the yogis. 14" We are informed that "Not only the seated deities engraved on some of the Indus Seals are in Yoga posture and bear witness to the prevalence of Yoga in the Indus Valley in that remote age, the standing deities on the seals also show Kayotsarga posture of Yoga
11. Short Studies in the Science of Comparative Religions, pp. 243-4, 12. 'Nudity of the Jain Saints' by C. R. Jain (Delhi). 13. Mohenjodaro, Vol. I. pp. 33-34. 14. Survival of the Pre-historic Civilisation of the Indus Valley,
(Memoir of the Arch: Survey of India).
