Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 46

Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies
allowed at this time by all the sects. This is clearly caves known as Son Bhandar or Golden Treasury (Figs. evident from the excavation of a Jaina cave at Udayagiri 10-11; Pl. 1). These caves are very similar to the (M.P.) housing an image of Tirthankara Pārsvanatha. Mauryan caves at Barabar and Nagarjuni and, like the
After the decline and extinction of the Imperial latter, are laid out parallel to the rock. Guptas the country disintegrated into a number of big The larger of these two caves is very similar on and small principalities the rulers of which often fought plan to the Karna Chopar cave at Barabar, measuring for the supremacy and expansion of their power, but 34 ft. by 17 ft. Its walls are plain but polished to the none of them succeeded and ultimately they were defeated height of 6 ft. 9 inches and thence rise to 11 ft. 6 inches and their kingdoms assimilated by the Muslim conquerors in the centre of a slightly pointed arch. The cave has in the 124-13h century A.D. During this long period a doorway with sloping jambs towards the right end of Indian history, only the temples, whether rock-cut and a window about three feet square at the left. This or structural, of various shapes and sizes were produced. is the earliest example of window in the excavated caves The period was actually dominated by the Brahmanical in India. Outside the cave is a verandah 8 ft. deep and caves and temples, but at the same time it also witnessed extending at right end beyond the cave, so that the a fervent state of Jainism as the latter enjoyed the royal window would remain opened. The varandah has gone patronage of some of the Rāştrakūta kings of the Deccan, as it was made of wood, but its existence is well detected early Calukya kings of Vātāpi, and the Pallavas of Kañci. from the mortises in the rock which once received the This is apparently known from the presence of some ends of the wooden rafters of the verandah. beautiful Jaina caves at Ellora, Ankai-Tankai etc. in
The other Son Bhandar cave, which lies just 30 ft. Maharashtra, Badami and Aihole in Karnataka, and from the larger cave, is similar in all respects to the larger Sittannavasal etc. in Tamil Nadu. The rock-cut sculptures one, but it measures only 22 ft. by 17 ft. Its roof has almost at Dhank in Gujarat and the famous colossal of Bahubali fallen in and a mortise exists to show that it had a wooden at Sravanabelagola also belong to this period. While verandah similar to that in the larger cave. the followers of other sects almost abandoned the On the facade of the larger cave is an inscription excavation work after the 10th century A.D., the Jainas of the 4th century A.D., saying that Acārya Vairadeva continued it up to the 12h-13th century A.D. and excavated consecrated Arhat images in these caves, but the images some ornate Jaina caves at Ankai-Tankai in the fashion do not exist now. This apparently shows that these of the contemporary structural temples. The Jainas appear caves were in possession of the Jainas at least up to to have great liking for rock-cut caves and sculptures this date. as they resumed the excavation work after a gap of Probably, the Son Bhadar caves were excavated nearly 250 years and got many Jaina caves and colossuses as abodes for Jaina monks by the Maurya king Samprati made on all sides of the hilly fort of Gwalior in the in the 3rd century B.C. as Asoka and his grandson 15th century A.D.
Dasaratha did for Ajivakas at Barabar and Nagarjuni, With this short background we now proceed to give and the wooden verandah was added when the Arhat an account of the Jaina caves located in various States. images were installed in the 4th century A.D. BIHAR
UTTAR PRADESH RAJGIR
PABHOSA Rajgir or Rajagrih in Nalanda district of Bihar is Pabhosa is a hilly village 32 miles south-west of an old city. It was the capital of Magadha Janapada. Allahabad city in Uttar Pradesh. In the quartzite rock Rajgir is also the name of a hill there with two Jaina of the hill is executed a small Jaina cave measuring
SA
Jain Education Intemational