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TOWN PLANNIG IN THE JAIN ANGA
R. N. Mehta, Ahmedabad
Introduction :
The Angas form the core of Agama literature of the Jainas. Agama, as a source of knowledge, is recognised by Patañjali, the Buddhists, the Jainas and several Indian schools of thought. Agama both as revealed knowledge and the word of the seer is respected all over the world.
Jaina Agamas contain the teachings of the Tirthankaras, as preserved by the Ganadharas and verbally transmitted from generation to generation. However, with the passage of time, due to adverse natural circumstances, Āgamas according to the Digambaras disappeared. The Svetāmbara tradition however asserts that their first recension was prepared at Pataliputra i.e. modern Patna and the second at Mathura in the assembly of the Monks under Skandila charya. Another recension was prepared by Nagarjuna at Valabhi, the capital of the Maitrakas. There the Mathura recension of the Āgamas was committed to writing during the time of Devardhigaại kshamasramana in about the middle of the 5th century A.D. This is the heriod of the Guptas. The Svetāmbara tradition asserts that this form of Āgamas is available to them.
In this literature the twelve Angas are considered to be the central core that preserves the tradition. It is therefore thought that a study of the towns noted in these Angas be undertaken. Incidentally, it may be pointed out that this literature requires critical editions on modern lines. Problem :
In our country traditionally, one knows that towns and cities existed from high antiquity. But very little information is available about the nature of their plan, growth pattern, their history etc., in which we are interested to-day. For understanding these aspects
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