Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

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

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composed in Sanskrit during the period, an example being the Upamiti Bhava-Prapanch-Katha etc. do not find place in inscriptions. Only some inscriptions while speaking of some particular Jain Sadhu mention the commentaries on scriptures such as Navanga etc. written99 by them as well as their learning. The Abu inscription of V.E. 1287 and the Arasana inscription name Abhayadeva Suri as a commentator of the Navanga. Some epithets like well versed in Panini are also given (Nadol Plate of V.E. 1218).
Prakrit was assiduously cultivated by Jains. They wrote several narratives and religious works with some famous works like Kuvalayamala (778 AD) Samaraichchakaha (8th century A.D.) Dharmopadeshmala(V.E. 915), Sursundarichariya (11th century A.D.) etc. Prakrit was, however, not used for drafting the inscriptions. The Ghatiyala inscription of V.E. 918 and the Chittor inscription of the 15th century A.D. are the only Prakrit inscriptions known in Rajasthan. The Sanskirt of the inscriptions too after the 10th century A.D. shows a marked use of Apabhransh and Deshi words. Linguistically, Apabhraņsh occupies a position mid-way between Prakrit and early Rajasthani, Gujarati and other Indian languages. The tendency of assimilation of consonant clusters, elision of inter vocal consonants, weakening of final vowels nasalisation etc. available in the Apabhransh also developed in these languages.
Jain inscriptions from Godawar, Sirohi, Abu, Mewar and other parts of western Rajasthan contain many words of Apabhransh and Deshi. The Sewadi inscription of V.E. 1167, the Nadlai inscription of V.E. 1200 the Kbed inscription of V.E. 1210 etc. have several such words.
From the 15th century A.D., onwards we find regular use of Mewari, old Gujarati, Marwari and other dialects of Rajasthani in inscriptions. The Delwara (Mewar) inscription of V.E. 1491, the Pitalhar temple (Abu), inscriptions of V.E. 1494 and 1497, the Digambar Jain temple (Abu) inscription of V.E. 1494, the Kumari
99, Abu No. 287.