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builder artisans and installing kings of many temples were also same. From this perspective the archaeological findings related to these three religions appear to have a similitude. On the other hand there are differences and dissimilarities with regard to their religious beliefs, individual forms and styles of architecture and sculpture, and unique orchestration and composition of symbols. There are instances when inadequate understanding of variant architecture, sculpture, iconic composition, and beliefs makes archaeologists misinterpret images, temples and icons of one religion for the other. For example we may say that many archaeologists at many places have branded Tīrthankara images in lotus pose as those of Bodhisatva or Siva in yogic posture. This is in spite of the identifying insignia of the Tīrthařkara on its portal. Many Jain deities have been called the Buddhist Tārādevī or some Hindu devī. The pillars, inscriptions, wheel of religion, triple or quadruple lion pedestals erected by emperor Samprati at the Kalyāņaka' places of Tīrthankaras have been declared to have been constructed by emperor Ashoka. And many ancient artistic Jain temples where Tīrthankara images are engraved on ceiling, janghā (middle portion), flat mouldings, etc. have been declared to be Hindu temples. I believe that such mistakes have been committed due to lack of knowledge about Jain art. Such mistakes should be rectified in order to remove the prevailing misunderstanding.
There is an abundance of archaeological material in all states in India. This is not just abundance in numbers it is also in terms of variety, quality, and uniqueness. Although a larger portion is safely collected in Jain temples and museums in the country and around the world, there still remains a lot more scattered and unprotected in remote jungles, mountains, villages, and even in cities.
For convenience we may divide Jain archaeology and art in following six categories --
1. Jain images, 2. Jain temples, 3. Images of protecting deities, 4. Cave temples, 5. Jain symbols, 6. Inscriptions.
JAIN IMAGES
Archaeologists believe that the art of sculpture originated during the Mauryan period. Before that yakśa (a lower species of gods)
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