Jain Journal 1982 07

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

Page 39

A Note on a Unique Jaina Relief
from Sulgi
PRATIP KUMAR MITRA
During the course of his official duties in Bankura district (West Bengal) Sri J. N. Banerjee,' of the West Bengal Information Service, discovered in the year 1979 some interesting antiquities around the mouzas of Harmasra, Sulgi, Brahmandiha, Lodda, etc., under the Taldangra Police Station of the district. These included an exquisite little sculpture relief of a Jina with his sāsanadevt (Frontispiece) reportedly collected from the bank of Silavati river in the Sulgi: mouza. The image, considerably worn out and effaced, measures 15.4 cm x 7.7 cm x1.5 cm. Worked in bold relief on a rectangular slab of 'white-spotted red sandstone, the stele reveals a Tirthankara seated in padmāsana in dhyānamudrā beneath a chatra held on either side by a flying couple. The Jina is flanked by two standing figures, apparently, attendants holding cauris but presently abraded beyond recognition. A circular halo at his back, and sharp rays that radiate from his shoulders define the glory of the Jina. The rigidity and discipline of the manner of his sitting in padmāsana makes a contrast to the very plasticity of the supple form of the female divinity curved below. The bejewelled sāsanadevı is seated in mahārājalilāsana
1 Sri J. N. Banerjee is presently the District Information Officer, Burdwan district
under the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal. He collected this interesting relief while he was posted as District Information Officer, Bankura district. The author is beholden to Sri Banerjee for kindly permitting to examine and publish the object under discussion. * Among these are a hoard of Puri-Kushana coins, two fragmentary Jaina sculptures, besides potteries. For details see, Jitendranath Bandyopadhyay, 'Sulgir Puratattva' (in Bengali), Paschim Banga, 4 January, 1980, pp. 535-538. Sulgi mouza (J. L. No. 24) is situated on the bank of Silavati river under the Taldangra Police Station of Bankura district. The mouza is uninhabited and covers an area of 370.10 acres, the major portion of which comprises of barren land. The present author is informed by Sri Banerjee of the existence of a mound of about 20 ft. in height from the river level in this mouza. For further details of location and findspot of the object under discussion, see, op. cit., pp. 537-538.