Jain Journal 1984 04

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

Page 30

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JAIN JOURNAL
of the Telkupi monuments to a remarkable extent. Even in the postMohammedan period, the brick temples erected by the Panchet Raja on the Panch Kot Hill near Raghunathpur in 17th century, reproduce all the characteristic features of contemporary brick temples at Visnupur in Bankura in form and sculptural decoration of the wall surface.
The importance of all the old sites in Manbhumi and Purulia, with extensive ruins to mark their former glory, lay in their strategic situation along the river valley of Subarnarekha, Kasai and Damodar, on ancient highways connecting Tamluk (Tamralipta) with Patna (Pataliputra), Gaya, Rajgir and Benares in the north and west. Beglar who comprehensively studied these routes in 1862-63, traces regular lines of communication between (1) Tamluk to Patna via Ghatal, Vishnupur and Chatna Raghunathpur, Telkupi, Jharia, Rajauli and Rajgir ; and (2) a direct route between Tamluk and Benares via Pakbirra, Buddhpur, Dalmi, Ranchi and Palamau where also there are remains. Ruins at Balarampur, Charra, Para, Chechgaongarh and Katras mark sites on the cross-roads connecting the main Benares and Gaya routes. A careful study of the geographical and historical factors underlying the growth of temple architecture in ancient days in Manbhum and Purulia will bring into relief the predominating influences operating upon them specially the overwhelming Jaina religious force and the peculiar Bengali architectural and sculptural idiom both emanating from Tamralipti and Radha.
& Manbhum District Gazetteer, 48-50.