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114 )
Amarsar :
Amarsar is situated at about 100 Kins. from Bikaner. An old33 lady chanced upon 14 bronzes and 2 stone Jain icons here. These are quite significant for a study of the development of Jainism. On a Panchtirthi, having the figures of Ambika, Navagraha, Yaksa etc. there is an inscription of V. E. 1063 (1006 A. D.) recording the name of Alha. Other inscriptions are dated V. E. 1104 (1047 A, D.) V. E. 1127 (1071 A D.) V.E. 1136 (1079 A. D.), VE 1160 (1103 A, D.) V. E. 1112 (1055 A. D.), V. E. 1232. It seems that there was an old Jain temple here. Perhaps following a standard Jain practice, these icons were concealed under sand dunes after the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan at the hands of Muhammad Ghori.
Bikampur :
Bikampur was an important town during Chauhan rule. It was a great business centre. Jain Acharyas of the Kharatargachchha visited this place several times. The Ganadhar--Sardlı-Satak Vriti composed in V. E. 1295 (1238 A. D.) contains many references to conversion of several Maheshwari families of Bikampur to Jainism. Jinapati Suri, who was born at Bikampur, was a celebrated Acharya of the Kharatar-gachchha. On the basis of literary sources Diksa-Mahotsavas were arranged here several times. According to a copper plate the Kharutargachchhu Vilar was founded here in V. E. 1476 (1419 A. D.). In V. E. 1524 (1467 A. D.) when this place was under Bhati Ranamali, Shresthi Dhanpati installed a Jain icon here. This icon is now in worship at Amarsagar (near Jaisalmer).
Mora Khana :
Mora Khana is famous for its temple of Sushanimata. There is an inscription of V. E. 1228 in the temple, which calls
33. ibid No. 2889 to 2896 34. Agarchand Nahata-Rajasthan ka Ek Prachin Nagar Bikrampur-Jain
Bharati,
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