Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

Page 51

JAINA BRONZES
Dr.P.D.BALAJI,
Lecturer, Dept. of Ancient History & Archaeology,
University of Madras, Chennai - 600 005
Origin of Jainism could be traced back to a few centuries before the advent of Christian era in Tamilnadu. Numerous Jaina vestiges in the form of natural caves with stone beds; stone sculptures in relief and round and bronze icons, all depicting Tirthankaras and their attendant deities are found in different parts of the State. It is traditionally accepted that after the death of king Chandragupta and Bhadrabahu, a Jaina spiritual leader, their disciples had moved further south into Tamilnadu around 3rd cent.B.C.and spread Jainism. Although there is no direct evidence to the southward migration of Bhadrabahu's disciples to Tamilnadu, the occurrence of early brahmi inscriptions in Tirunelveli, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai and Viluppuram districts testifies to the introduction of Jainism to the south earlier than the 2nd century B.C.? It is further proved by the Sangam works. In this regard the contributions of prince Ilamkadunko, Kadalanvaluti an officer of King Nedunjeliyan, Atiyaman Nedumananji of Tagadur, Kaniman a local chieftain could be cited as the best examples. All these