________________
Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
which gradually resulted in its extension of wealth, fame and power. 2600 years back, Bhagwan Mahaveer spent six years in this region of Bengal and he preferred this region for his austerity and devotional activities. There are lots of evidences of all these things in the Jain literature.
Many important and golden memorable incidents of Mahavira's life took place in the auspicious land of Banga. In fact, starting from Rishabdev to Bhagwan Mahavira and their disciples sacrificed and contributed a lot for making the people of this region cultured and civilized. Burdwan and Birbhum districts are named after Bhagwan Mahavira. R.G. Bhandarkar, the doyen of Indian Indologists, was of the opinion that Bengal was brought within the Aryan fold as a result of the Proselytizing activities of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara of Jainism and other Jaina.
Subsequently, the Jain followers were tortured in Bengal. As a result, this influenced not only the Khyatriyas, but also hampered the lives and livelihood of the so called artists. And this made the artists of Bengal settled in Gujrat. In other words, those who were great patron of cloths-designing, settled in Gujarat and ultimately they provided glory and fame in Gujarat in this field.
From 30th December to 4th January, I travelled in the Sarak regions of Purulia district situated in Bengal. There I visited a cave at Panchakot. This cave is left unsecured at the height of 300 ft. in a hilly region and it is about 3000 years old. We searched for its route to move at its top and at last we got the way to move forward. Those who discovered the cave, were with us. Tirthankara statue is inscribed inside the cave. Just 1500 ft. above, another cave came into sight but its entrance could not be opened completely. Apart from this cave, ancient statues and remainings of the temples of 2000-2500 years back were found in the open space. These were all made in the sarak style. Both the statues Bhairavnath of Telkupi and Mahakal Bhairav of Pakviraare the statues of Bardman Mahavir. Mr. Dalton said that these statues belonged in 500-600 B.C. Mr. Dalton placed them in the district as far back as five hundred or six hundred years before Christ identifying the colossal image now worshipped at Pakvira under the name of Bhairon. Whatever I have studied or understood, has influenced me to visit the place. But I was totally surprised after having a glimpse of the first ancient sculpture of this region. The Saraks built large number of ancient temples and statues in the regions of ancient temples and statues in the regions of Purulia, Bankura, Mannbhum, Singbhum, and this was really out of our imagination. These are all our ancient assets, which are still getting neglected. The culture and civilization of Ancient India was ruined a lot and still now the condition is deteriorating. I was shocked and spellbound to see that a very ancient historical art of Sarak is buried under the soil of the southern Rhar region. Nobody has paid attention towards it. Not only our Government Machinery but also the whole Jain society is responsible for this. Similarly, at the bank of river Ajay, few ancient
stupas are lying unattended and they are in very poor condition. According to the archeologiest, P.C. Dasgupta--it was built during the reign of Mahavira or much before it during the Vratya Age. Till date these are discarded and neglected. There is an article published in the
122
