International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

Page 161

contemporary. It is a late manifestation, certainly after the great Kailasa. Chitrava precisely dates these Jaina Caves to a time bracket of 850 to 960 A.D. The Jaina execution at Ellora has major share to the region of Jaina patron Amoghavarsha (9th century A.D.) of Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Krishna II, Indra II and Indra IV were the prominent Rashtrakuta kings, who patronised Jainism. The Chhota Kailasa and Indra Sabha are the products of this period. The minute carvings and details in architecture clearly exhibit the Rashtrakuta influence on these caves. Goswami's view also supports these arguments.
The two inscriptions on pedestals of Tirthankaras in Cave No. 32 are evidently of Yadava period assigned to 12th century. It appears that even in the cave like Indra Sabha, the executions were under operatiou during the second phase also. It appears that what Pathy has observed seems true. On the basis of epigraphy and on stylistic grounds it may be surmised that the dates of execution of Jaina caves would range between 9th and 10th centuries. In the inscribed legends, Bramhi and Kannada character can be noticed. On the basis of paleorgaphic study of inscription in Cave No. 34, Ramesh has also assigned these caves to 10th century A.D.
Thus the Jain group can be divided into two phases of execution, one in the Rashtrakuta and the otherduring the Yadava. The Jaina execution began in the middle of 9th century and witnessed a stage of decline in the end of 12th century. Soundearajan has rightly cautioned, one cannot be so dogmatic about the actual dates.
Architectural Features
The caves at Ellora in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra are the largest of its kind in India on account of their extent, huge dimensions and elaborate carvings. They represent unique assimilation of art features and synthesis of the types of architecture of the period. There is no doubt that Deccan was the melting couldron in which the Aryan and non-Aryan cultural and architectural trends fused and became antecedents in Maharashtra and adjoining provinces. The area witnessed a process of consolidation and evolution n the form of architecture also.
Ellora Jaina Caves represent the concluding facet of rock-cut architecture at Ellora. Cave No.30 inaugurated the Jaina executions in the area. This cave is known as Chhota Kailasa, a smaller copy of Kailasa. Chhota Kailasa is a free standing shrine separated from the surrounding rock. It is one-fourth size of the original model. In the process of reduction the architect of Chhota Kailasa has left behind a tower that is unfinished and which has rather assumed stunted proportions. The area of the shrine is 130x18 m. The entire scheme of the excavated
73