Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

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

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This was indeed a daring step in view of the prevailing hostile conditions.
To conclude, most of the available Digambar Jain inscriptions have been found from Vagad, Dhundhar, Ladnu, Tonk, Toda, Mewar, Hadoti and Mewat areas. During the Chauhan period Ladnu, Narena Ajmer, Baghera and Tonk were important centres of this sect. The Solankies ruled over Uparamal territory. All we know of their history can only be discovered from Jajn inscriptions and colophons of Jain Manuscripts. The Awan Jain temple68 inscription of V. E. 1597 (1540 A, D.) furnishes an informative record of the above dynasty. The Amer Museum inscription69 of V. E. 1704, edited by the Author, has a brief account of the Kachhava rulers of Amer.
Important Events :
Important political events, such as invasions by Muslim armies, are sometimes noted incidentally in the inscriptions and literary sources. Dhanpal in his Satyapuriya-Mahavir Utsaha70 mentions that several temples of Western India, excepting the Mahavir temple of Sanchore, were destroyed by the forces of Mahmud Ghazni. Muhammad Ghori also demolished several icons during his invasion of V. E. 1234 (1178 A. D.). No details of the route followed by his invading army are known. The Jain inscriptions and literary sources furnish valuable information in this regard. The Mulanayak icon71 of Phalodi Parshvanath was demolished by the Ghori. After carrying out plundering raids, he also sent a diplomatic mission to the court of Chauhan Prithviraj. The Prithviraj-Vijay reports that the Sultan sent an emissary to the court of Prithviraj asking him to embrace Islam and accept his overlordship. But Prithviraj refused the same. Major renovations took place
68. Anekant Vol. XVI p. 212. 69. Edited by the Author in the Researcher Vol. XII and XIII (1972-73) pp.
53-58. 70. It was first edited in the Jain Sahitya-Samshodhaka by Jin Vijay ji. Later
on, Sri Nahataji and Dr. Mahavir Singh Gahlot have also reedited it. 71. Vividh-Tirth-Kalpa (SJGM) p. 10.