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188 1
Jaina Grantha Bhandars in Raiasthan.
AMER
Its real name was Ambara' which is said to have been founded by Ambarısı son of Mändhātā. It is also said that Amer is a corruption of Ambarişanagar. The other name of the old city is Ambavati. Mahātmā Dhanraja used the same word in his Prasasti of, Karma Kända written in the year 1700. According to the 'Amer Rājās Paṭṭāvali", it was made a capital in the year 1192 A.D. by Raja Kilan It was also famous by the name of Amragarh. During the reign of Rājā Mansingh it acquired a prominent place in the Rajput States. Rāja Mänsingh made Dilarama Garden at the foot of Amer Palace or Fort There is a temple of Kali who was brought by the same Raja from Bengal and which is also famous by the name of Ambå
Amer remained also a centre of Jainas. There are 8 old Jaina temples in the city and temple of Neminatha called Samwala Bābā kā Mandir is the oldest one. A Grantha Bhandar was also established when the temple was constructed. It developed in the time of Bhattaraka Lalit Kiti (16td century). In the year 1559, Pandava Purana3 was copied by Šah Nema and presented to Mandalacarya Lalit Kirti. There are several manuscripts in the Grantha Bhandar of Amer, Jaipur and other places which were copied in this city. Some of the manuscripts copied in this city are as follows:--
(1) In the year 1554 A. D. Jindatta Carita' of Pandit Lakhu was copied. Rājas Bharmalla was then the ruler of the city.
(2) Harivansa Purana' was got copied by Shrimati Khemi for the presentation to Mandalacărya Lalit Kirti in the year 1559 A. D. Rājā Bharmalla was the Ruler of the city
(3) Vadhaman Katha" of Jaymitrahala, an Apabhramsa poet, was copied in the year 1598 A D. in the Neminatha Jaina temple. Raja Män Singh was the Ruler of Amer at that time.
(4) In the year 1640 A.D. Samavasara Kalsa' was copied under Maharāja Jaisingh.
1 Arch Survey Report Vol. 2.
2. Prasasti Sangrah-Amer Sastra Bhandar, Jaipur 8
3. to 5. Ibid.
6. Grantha Bhandar, Jaina Temple Patodi, Jaiput.
7. Ibid.
