Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

Author(s): T V G Shastri
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

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excavation of the caves, Caityalayas and Temples with Tirthankaras as mulanayakas and associated yakṣas, yakṣis and other Jaina divinities, in different hilly regions of Gwalior Fort.
As the spiritual content of Jaina religion is materialized in stone medium, the co-operative effort of all the people involved is spiritualized. Thus, as per the law of 'karma' in Jain dharma, the Tomar king could not only protect himself, but also protected the people of the kingdom of Gwalior from the atrocities of Muslim invasions, at least for a period of more than one hundred years.
This treatise on 'The Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortness of Gwalior contains a descriptive account in detail of the mammoth effort made in 'stone' at different regions of the hills that were "immortalized" during 14-15th centuries A.D.
Even earlier, apart from the activities of Jainas, right from the prehistoric period onwards,the rock-shelters in and around the area, the multicoloured limestones, lateritic formations, the sandstones were utilised offering the materialistic 'soul' in different religious traditions. It was felt that they would breathe the very spirit of the Jaina theory of 'karma' through the ages. Thus, the prehistoric and the early historic chapters also find place in the treatise.
T.V.G. Sastri Director- Archaeology
Kundakunda Jnanapitha
584, M.G. Road, Tukogunj Indore 452 001
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