Comprehensive History of Jainism Volume II

Author(s): Aseem Kumar Chaterjee
Publisher: Firma KLM Pvt Ltd

Page 51

JAINISM IN NORTA INDIA
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tion 80% of 1170 A.D., a great temple, dedicated to Lord Vardhamāna was built, in the first half of the 12th century at Ajayameru, by several members of a Jain family. belonging to Prāgvața kula. It is interesting to note that this very temple of Ajmer has been mentioned in an inscription of V.S. 1221, found from Phalodhi (ancient Phalavardhikā).806 Several early Jain manuscripts were copied at Ajayameru. The earliest of such manuscripts 807 is dated V.S. 1207. Another Jain work called Upadeśapadaţika808 was copied at Ajayameru during the reign of Vigraharāja IV in the Vikrama year 1212. A third Jain manuscript was copied at Ajayameru 308 in the Vikrama year 1216. A somewhat earlier Jain manuscript was copied at a place called Pệthvīpura, which was near Ajayameru in the year V.S. 1198, during the reign of Arnorāja.310 This great town is also mentioned several times in connexion wiih the activities of the Svetāmbara monks, belonging to the Kharatara gaccha.311
After Ajayarāja, his son Arnorāja ascended the sākambhari throne. Although a devoted Saiva 9 12, he had some respect for the Jains. According to the Kharataragaccha. bshadgurvāvali18, the great Kharatara Acārya Jinadatta was honoured by this king. He gave the followers of this gaccha an extensive plot of land for the construction of a temple at Ajayameru.31. The Svetāmbara philosopher Dharmaghoşa Suri received a jayapatra from him after defeating the Digambara rival Gunacandra,316 We have already seen that a Jain manuscript was copied during his reign in the year V.S. 1198.
The next ruler was the parricide Jagaddeva, who had an extremely short reign.816 After him, another son of Arporāja, viz. Vigrabarāja IV, ruled at least from V.S. 1210 to 1220. We have already seen that a Jain manuscript was copied at Ajayameru during his reign in V.S. 1212. We further know from the Dharmaghoșasūristuti of Raviprabha that Vigraharāja IV hoisted a flagstaff on a