Jain Journal 1997 10

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

Page 26

MUKHERJI : CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BENGAL IN RELATION TO JAINISM 57
belong to 9th-10th centuries A.D. though some of them may belong to 11th-12th centuries A.D. Some Jaina shrines, mostly in a ruinous condition, have been noticed in the westernmost districts of westBengal and the border-districts of Bihara. During the Pala-Sena times the Jainas in Bengal were mostly assimilated in the 'avadhuta' sectonly to be revived after few centuries-chiefly due to religious zeal or the Jaina imigrants from western-India, some of whom, however, embraced Hinduism afterwards. The bulk of the Jaina religionists may now be found at Azimganj (Kayahas), Jāiganj. Berhampur, Rangpur, Rājshāhi, Rāmpur Boālia-Lohārdāgā, Manbhūm, Bali, Hooghly, Uttarpārā, and Culcutta. Most of them belonged to Marwar and Bikaner, who came to the aforesaid places for business purpose in or about the 18th cent. A.D. Most of the temples at Mānbhūm and Bankurā were erected in the 9th-10th centuries. Dalton has attributed the erection of the temples to the Srāvakas or Sarāks (Jaina) of Manbhūm, who came to Manbhüm in connection with the working of the copper mines in the adjacent areas in Singhbhum. Like all colonists they followed the river courses and the remains of their temples may be on the banks of the Damodara, Kansävati and Suvarnarekhā. These temples, according to Dalton, belong to circa 14th century A.D., But after a detailed survey of the temples in the area, it has been seen that a bulk of them belonged to 9th-10th cent. A.D., while the other to 11th cent. A.D. and after. There is an inscribed image, belonging to the 'Nahār Collections', Calcutta, which is datable in the 15th century A.D. However, some of these temples were repaired or renovated by Akbar's General, Man Singh in the 17th century A.D. Majority of the Jainas of Bengal belonged to the Digambara sect.
Most of the Jaina temples, as noticed in Bengal, have been found in the districts of Bankurā and Manbhum. As regards temples in Bankurā, mention may be made of those at Hārmāshrā, Bāhulārā, Kenduā, Barkolā. Paresnāth, Ambikānagar, Chitgiri, Dharāpāt, Bihārināth Hill & Deulbhirā which were evidently centres of Jainism. Temples of Sāreśvara and Salleśvara in the said district belong to the Jaina group. Architecturally, they belong to circa 10th century A.D. the District of Manbhüm is also rich in Jaina antiquities. Large ruins of Jaina establishments and temples exist there in places like Charā. Sānkā, Senerā, Borām, Balarāmpur, Pālmā, Ārsā, Deoli, Pākbirā, Lathondungri and Dulmi. The temple at Rājpāra-Orgānda, dt. Midnapore, belonging to the medieval times, is also of Jaina character. There were perhaps more temples in Manbhūm than in the rest of Bengal put together. The development of Jainism possibly centered round the valleys of Damodar, Kansāvati and Suvarnarekhā, which abounds in scores of Jaina Shrines and chaityas' as well as images in