Gandhi Before Gandhi

Author(s): Bipin Doshi, Priti Shah
Publisher: Jain Academy Educational Research Center Promotion Trust Mumbai

Page 109

GANDHI BEFORE GANDHI
World Class Architect.
The noblest remains of sacred architecture, not in Mewar only, but throughout Western India, are of the Buddhist or of the Jains, and the many ancient cities where this religion was fostered have inscriptions which evince their prosperity to these parts of the country with whose history their own is interwoven.
The archeological records of the Jains bear witness to their having occupied a distinguished place in Rajput society; and the privileges they still enjoy prove that they are not overlooked. One can not imagine the beauty of Delwara or Ranakpur temples unless one sees them.
Being devotedly attached to the religion of their ancestors, they have built sumptuous buildings and magnificent temples, the style of which commands the applause of the best architectural critics of Europe. Their most sacred place is Mount Shatrunjay situated near Palitana, in Kathiawar. Its summits are encrusted with marble temples and cloisters, erected in the course of many centuries at the expense of Jain people.
Several times in the year rich Jains convey large bodies of their coreligionists to this and other holy places for pilgrimage at their own cost. Besides, Jain pilgrims singly and in large groups from all parts of India flock to these temples at all times of the year.
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