Jain Journal 1972 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 53

APRIL, 1972
191
Coming to the reign of Madanavarman, we have as many as five inscriptions: (1) Khajuraho Jaina Image Inscription (1147-48 A.D.)-- Mentions only Sresthin Panidhara ; (2) Horniman Jaina Image Inscription (1150 A.D.) --Dedication of an image by Sresthi Maula of the Grahapati family of Mandilapura ; (3) Mahoba Jaina Image Inscription (1155 A.D.)- Dedication of Neminatha image by Rupakara Lakhana ; (4) Khajuraho Jaina Image Inscription (1157-58 A.D.)—Image of Sambhavanatha set up by a certain Sadhu Salhe; and (5) Mahoba Jaina Image Inscription (1163 A.D.)—Refers to the dedication of a Jaina image.
In the reign of Paramardi also we have Mahoba image inscription inscribed on a broken Jaina statue dated 1168 A.D.
From the localities of these inscriptions, it seems that Khajuraho and Mahoba were two great centres of the Jainas under the Candell This has been corroborated by the excavations at Khajuraho carried out by Cunningham as early as 1874-77, which yielded a large number of standing and squatted Jina figures.
Gahadvalas (c. 1075-1200 A.D.):
Even though a majority of the epigraphs found so far of this dynasty of Varanasi and Kanyakubja are Brahmanical in nature, yet, the existence of Jainism among the mass of the population is evidenced by a number of archaeological remains in the form of broken Jaina temples and images found in this region. It may be, therefore, that the kings of this dynasty were tolerant of Jainism.
Kacchapaghatas of Rajputana and Central India :
The various branches of this dynasty ruled from c. 950 to 1125 A.D. Out of these, we have evidence of the existence of Jainism under at least two branches :
(a) Kacchapaghatas of Gwalior :
A fragmentary Jaina image inscription dated 977 A.D. contains only the name of the king Vajradamana, which proves that the king was not unfavourable to Jainism.
Coming to the reign of Mahipala, we have the Sasbahu inscription (1093 A.D.) which mentions certain Yasodeva Digambararka. Probably the same person has been also termed as Nirgranthanatha in the