Jaina Art and Architecture Vol 02

Author(s): A Ghosh
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 89

MONUMENTS & SCULPTURE A.D. 1000 TO 1390
(PART V
shrines with a güd ha-mand apa. The lintels and door-frames of the shrine and mand apa contain sculptured figures of Jinas.
Mention may also be made of Singhiji-kā-Mandir at Sanganer which preserves interesting structural elements. Significant features of this shrine include two halls, towered cells and well-decked doors and a sculptured interior showing figures of divinities and decorative designs. There are stone images and inscriptions of the Cahamāna period in it. It reminds one of the Caulukya shrines of western Rajasthan and Gujarat Bhandarkar, however, dates it to a later period. Nilakantha in District Alwar, mentioned above for its temple-remains and sculpture of the earlier period (chapter 14), has sculptured architectural pieces of this period as well (plate 148A) bearing some impact of western India.
Delhi or Dhillika was an important political and religious centre of the Cahamānas. There stood many Jaina shrines including a grand temple (caitya) of Pārsvanātha. In ruins of Quwwatu'l-Islām mosque in the south-eastern corner there are distinct remains of a Jaina temple with simple pillars and pilasters arranged in rows, bearing in some cases figures of Jinas. The upper storey in this preserves ornate ceilings with sculptural frieze of Jinas, attendants and animals. There were, however, finer Jaina temples in Delhi as indicated by architectural fragments and images. At Hansi (Asikā) too religious establishments of the Jainas seem to have been built and the one which was added towards the close of Cāhamāna period was a Pārsvanatha-Jinālaya. It was sanctified by the saint Jinapati-Sūri. At Pinjaur (Pañcapura), which was included in the Cāhamāna kingdom, Jaina remains in the form of sculptures, akin to those of the Bikaner area and other fragments have been noticed, suggesting the existence there of medieval Jaina shrines. Several Jina images were also found in the Kangra fort indicating medieval Jaina temples in the interior of western Himalayan hills.
In front of several Jinalayas perhaps stood the māna-stambhas, and some of the sarvatobhadra Jaina images could have served as their capitals.
In the opinion of Shah' the grand kirtti-stambha of Chitor composed of eight tiers, with an clevation of about 24.38 m., was originally built around 1100 and repaired in about 1490. Of Digambara association, it originally had a cauinukha image within its top pavilion.
1 U.P. Shah, Studies in Jaina Art, Banaras, 1955, p. 23. Sec below, chapter 25.
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