________________
CHAPTER 27]
CENTRAL INDIA
The Tomaras of Gwalior and their successors gave a fillip to architecture, sculpture, painting and music. The name of Mānasimha Tomara is well-known in this respect.
At Narwar (ancient Nalapura), 40 km. north-east of Shivpuri, several Jaina temples and statues were made. The white stone used for temples and images here was highly polished and thus gave the appearance of marble. Kings Yajvapāla, Gopåladeva and Asalladeva of Narwar largely contributed to the development of art.
Tumain and Chanderi in Guna District were important art-centres. Quite a large number of stone sculptures of the period have been obtained at Chanderi and the area around. They represent the Tirthankaras, goddesses and other images, several of them inscribed. By about 1400 the Chanderi patsa had been established. Its pontiff Bhatýāraka Devendra-kirtti and his successors played an important role in the diffusion of Jainism in that area. Sironj in Vidisha District was under the orbit of the Bhattārakas of Chanderi.
In the Malwa region, Jainismı flourished throughout the medieval period. At Ujjain and the area around. Jaina temples and images continued to be made after the rule of the Paramāras.
Bhanpura in Mandsaur District witnessed the growth of Jaina art, Numerous art-relics of the period have been discovered there.
At Maksi, near Ujjain, during the fifteenth century both the Digambara and Svetāmbara sects had their establishments. The well-known temple of Pārsvanātha was built here by Sangrāmasisha Soni in 1461.
At Dhar (ancient Dhārā) inscribed images of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries are preserved in a temple at Baniawadi. Dhar was a great centre of study and research in ancient lore.
Mandu (Mandavapura) near Dhar is known for its grand monuments built during this period. Several Jaina scholars occupied important positions in the kingly courts. Among these mention may be made of Pethad Shāh, Jhānjhana and Mandana, who patronized Jaina religion and art. They are responsible for building several Jaina temples and statues.
Badwani is known as Siddhanagara with several Jaina temples. An image of Adinātha carved in the rock is 26 m. high. On the hillock called Culagiri there are twenty-two Jaina temples.
351
