Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

Author(s): Ramvallabh Somani
Publisher: Rajasthan Prakrit Bharti Sansthan Jaipur

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Abulo, Chittor11, Ranathambhor, Jalore12 etc. Some temples were completely demolished. Their details can only be known from the epigraphical fragments and dismembered parts that survive. At Chittor, several inscribed stones were found studded in the Gambhiri-river bridge built by the vicerory of sultan Alauddin Khilji. Many inscribed stones are lying in the State Museums, Udaipur and Chittor and in the oflice of Archaeological Survey of India, Chittor. Inscriptions from the Jain temples of Jalore, which are now fixed in the walls of Topakbana mosque of that place, have also survived and are only the remnants of massive temples. The Mughal forces devastated several temples of Godawar. Sirohi, Mewar etc. The inscriptions of Ranakpur13, Nadlai14, Barakana15. etc, evince that the temples were renovated and new icons were installed after settlement was reached between the rulers of Mewar and the Mughal Emperor in 1615 A. D. The Mughal forces also carried out depredations in the Sirohi area taking away with them more than 1000 Jain bronzes. These were later handed over to Maharaja of Bikaner and are now preserved in the Chintamani temple of Bikaner.
11.
10. The Arbuda-Kalpa (Vividh-Tirth-Kalpa, SJGM) P. 15. A good number of
inscriptions from V.E. 1378 to 1395 of Abu mention that the renovation of Vimal Vasati was undertaken by several families of Mandor. Several inscribed stones of the 13th century AD are noticed from Chittor, For details see History of Mewar by the Author pp. 89-92/ Vir-Bhumi-Chittor by the Author pp. 209--231/Varada Vol. IX No. I pp. 59-60/The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol, LV
Pt. I PP.40-47. 12. Jin Vijay No. 351, 352, 353, 360, 361, 362, 363./E. 1. Vol. XI PP. 52
to 56. 13. The inscriptions of Ranakpur temple throw light on destruction carried
out there. In V.E. 1611 (1554 AD) Meghanada Mandapa was built. It was renovated only after 36 years in V.E. 1647 (1591 AD) by the same family of Usmanpur. This shows that during Akbar's reign large scale plundering raids were undertaken. Again in V.E.1678(6121 AD) renovation was effected by Shresthi Viradha etc. In 1611 AD after a fight at Ranakpur between the forces of Mewar and the Mughals, some parts
of the temple might have been destroyed. (Jin Vijay No. 308 and 309) 14. ibid No. 337 and 341. 15. Author's paper published in the Sambodhi (Ahmedabad) Vol. IX and
Maru Bharati Vol. XXVI No. 11