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Cultural Milieu of Jaina Caves: Socio-economic and Religious Backdrop
317 definitely later, have not been dated with certainty it is difficult to determine the exact period they depict. Of these texts, Brhatkalpabhāsya is supposed to have been written by Sanghadasagani (Deo 1954-55: 33), who flourished in the 6th century CE.
The scene changes from the 8th century CE as indicated by increased number of Jaina remains such as icons, temples and inscriptions recording donations to Jaina establishments. A list of Jaina remains of Maharashtra except the caves under study, is given below, which gives an insight into the development of the sect in the region. These remains are arranged chronologically and except a few sites, the list is based on published data. Although it covers almost all the remains, it is by no means exhaustive and new discoveries may alter it.
List of Jaina Remains in Maharashtra
DATE
7th
century CE
gth century CE
Do
Do
gth century CE
PLACE REMAINS
REMARKS Shirpur,
A bronze (Shah 1986: 400) It is inscribed. Now it is in Dhule dt.
the Muni Punyavijaya Collections, L. D. Institute
of Indology, Ahemadabad Rajanapur Two Ambika figures (Jain, B. A hoard of twenty-seven Khinkhini, 1955: 15-16)
Jaina bronzes is found at the Murtazpur taluka,
site. Akola dt. Chahardi, Chauvisi with an inscription Chopda taluka, (Chakravarti 1952-53) Jalgaon dt. Altem,
An inscription referring to a Jaina Though the grant refers to Hatkanangale temple in the city (Fleet 1878: Chalukyan king Pulakesin taluka, 209-217)
and is dated to 488 CE, it is Kolhapur dt.
found to be spurious (Fleet,
1900) Rajanapur Five bronzes (Jain, B. 1955: 16- Chauvisi, Ambika, Sarasvati Khinkhini, 17)
and Yakşa-Yaksi. Murtazpur taluka, Akola dt. Vajirkheda, Two copper plate charters
These two sites and also Malegaon taluka, recording the grant of some donated villages are Nasik dt.
villages to Amogha bastiat identified in Malegaon Chandanapuri and Uriamma basti taluka of Nasik dt. The at Vadaner (Kolte 1987: 256-287) Igrant was made by the
Rashtrakuta king Indra III. Karoli, Bhiwandi A temple (Thane District It is on a raised site in a taluka, Gazetteer 1982: 986-987)
field close to the road. The Thane dt.
remains are heap of carved stones (some with Jina images), doorjambs, domed
ceiling. Lonar, Buldhana Two chaumukhas (Agrawal 1989:
21)
915
CE
10th 11th century CE
Do
[dt.
