Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

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

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Kumbhalgarh etc. are recorded in the inscriptions found in these places. Sutradhar Jaita and Mandan, flourishing in the reign of Maharana Kumbha, were very famous. The Shatrunjay inscription of V. E. 1587 (1530 A. D.) of Karma Shah of Chittor records names of several Sutradhars from Chittor, who were sent to Shatrunjay for construction work. We find references to Sutradhars also in conneciion with the following works :
( i ) Engraving the letters on stone slabs. (ii) Wood works. (iii) Working in bronze, specially at Dungarpur, Sirohi etc.
Silawats :
The Silawats, were apparently different from Sutradhars and were skilled in construction work. From Several inscriptions of Jaisalmer and Abu, names of certain Silawats are available. The nature of their construction work is generally referred to as “Kamatha". It seems that in Jaisalmer the Silawats were generally from Sind and Marwar. The Jaisalmer63 inscriptions of V. E. 1663, records the name of Jaisa. The names of Jaisa and his son Sivdas, and Viram are recorded in the inscriptions64 of V. E. 1843 and 1945. In Abu several Silawats and Karigars of Sirohi were employed from time to time for minor works. The inscriptions of V. E. 1766 and V. E. 1821 refer to these craftsmen. The word Gajadhar65 and Ustas are also used for Silawats. Thus Abu inscription of V. E. 1893 refers to a Gajadhar. The Ustas were mostly Muslim masons from Bikaner. Most of them were also accomplished in the art of painting. The Jaisalmer inscriptions of V. E. 1840 (1783 A. D.) refers to Usta Kamu Bikaneri.
Maheshwaris :
Jindatt Suri had succeeded in converting several Maheshwari
62. Jin Vijay No. 1-2. 63. Nahar III No, 2505. 64. ibid No. 2510.