Holy Abu

Author(s): Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

Page 48

Introduction]
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to throw some light on the dark periods of the history of Western India, on the influence and extent of the rule of Bactrian Greeks, Shaka-Kshatrapas and so on. It is also necessary for exploration of possible links with the Mohenjo-Dāro and the Indus Valley culture, with Rangapur and such other sites in Saurāşhțra and with Māheshvara further south on the Narbadā. An initial exploration of Mt. Ābu and adjacent territory, and of south-western Marwad and borderlands near Pakistān, should be planned by the M. S. University of Baroda, the Gujarat University, and other bodies in Western India.
Bhillamāla is especially noteworthy as it is a very extensive archæological site, the mounds bordering on the three sides of the present town. The site is being ruined for obtaining whole bricks for building purposes in the town and every year the Bhills sink pits and dig them out and sell them. The present town stands on a part of the old city but the old Bhillamāla was a very big city as is seen from the extent of the archæological mounds nearby. Bricks of 16 x 10 x 3.4 inches size are most common while those of 21 inches length are also dug out.
Amongst Jaina temples of the Chālukyan or Solankī period in Gujarāt, some of the more famous shrines are at Sarotrā, Tārangā and Delvāļā ( Mount Abu ) in North Gujarāt, at Girnär and Shatrunjaya in Saurashtra and at Jālor in south-western Mārwar. The Chaumukha shrine at Rāṇakpur, in the Godvāda district of the old Jodhpur state, though somewhat later, is a unique shrine, with a complex plan, though based upon earlier, Chālukyan traditions.
Temples at Shatruñjaya have been renovated to such an extent that they have lost-almost all art-historical value; such is also the case with the shrines on Mount Girnār,