Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

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

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Jaisalmer contain information pertaining to the Paharawani97 ritual during marriage and some other occassion in which clothes are given as gift arranged by various Shresthis. The gift of Siropava (robe of honour or turban) was also considered to be meritorious. Several inscriptions speak of it. The inscription of Himatram's temple Jaisalmer records that wherever pilgrims of Jain Sangh travelled, local residents displayed respect towards them by arranging large scale dinners and offering Siropavas to them. The nianu. script Kapada Kutuhal composed at Udaipur during the 18th century A. D. contains details of various kinds of clothes and dresses.
Jain inscriptions supply very little information about ornaments. Two inscriptions98 of the Vimal Vasati, Abu, both dated V. E. 1308 (1251 A. D.) report that the ornaments of the Mulanayaka icon was repaired by two Jain Shresthis from Ahad (Udaipur) and Jalore. The Jaisalmer inscriptions record the presentation of ornaments like kundal, keyur etc. for decorating icons.
Language and Literature :
Sanskrit, which remained an important language had lost its touch with common speech. It was still the language of learning and the Pandits and Jain monks used it for drafting their inscriptions. The Hatundi inscriptions of V. E. 973, 996 and 1053, the Ranakpur inscription of V. E. 1496, the Abu inscriptions of V. E. 1287, 1350 and 1378, the Jaisalmer inscriptions of V. E 1473 and 1494, the Bijoliya inscription of V. E. 1226, the Chittor inscription of V. E. 1495 the Kekind inscription of V. E. 1666 etc. are some of the notable epigraphs composed in good Sanskrit. As already stated, the name of poet or author who composed them is given at the end of each record. But there are certain cases where no name is
tioned. It is curious that several excellent literary works
97. Arrangement of the Paharawani“ was quite popular. In various literary
sources, detailed description of it is also available. (Som-Saubhagya
Kavya). 98. Abu II No. 184-185.