Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

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

Page 48

check the advances of the enemies from northern side. Thus, we come across the location of the gate towards north-east.
Now, at Gwalior proper we do not come across Jain antiquarian remains belonging to this period. But in the Gwalior Museum, there are few images of Jain Tirthankaras and a sarvatobhadrika from Gwalior. The Tirthankaras are shown with their emblems, like conch, vajra and a cresent moon. Evidently, they could be identified as Neminatha, Dharmanatha and- Chandraprabha, etc. But the well defined iconographic features of the later Tomar Period are found in only a few of them.
These above images have the earlier iconographic features, compared with those of the Jain images sculptured during the time of Tomar kings. Hence, they may be attributed to Kachhawaha period.
According to Shri Kharag Rai's account, the last Kachhapghat ruler Raj Karan was Dulha Rai or bridgroom prince. He never cared for the state. He married a Bangurjari princess, the daughter of the king of Amber. He received the kingdom of Dewas as dowry. Incidently, Dewas during the period was noted for its sculptors in stone. When he spent an year in the honeymoon leaving Gwalior affairs in charge of his nephew, some shrewed sculptors might have migrated to Gwalior, where they had better opportunities to display their sculptural art.
Thus, the last rulers of Kachhawaha dynasty who were never interested in state affairs were being watched by other local dynasties. Moreover, Gwalior had to face a new threat from the Muslim conquorer Mohammad of Ghazni.
The Muslim Invasion:
The Kachhawahas had trouble from the Muslims even from the very beginning of their rule. In 1019 A.D. when the Raja of Gwalior sided the Chandela prince Rajpal, he incurred the wrath of Mohammad of Ghazni. On the way to Kalanjar in 1023 A.D., the strong hold of the Chandelas, he laid sieze of Gwalior fort and compelled the king to submit.
Since Mohammad had no territorial plans on India, he was satisfied with a large amount of money and jewels paid to him by Rajpal. Thus, he could retain overlordship of Gwalior.
However, there was another threat in 1097 A.D. from Mohammad Ghori when the independent king of the Kachhawaha state of Gwalior had to yield to the forces of the general of Ghori, Qutbudin Aibek. Somehow the fortune had favoured the king. He threw
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