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Cultural Milieu of Jaina Caves: Socio-economic and Religious Backdrop natural that Jainism held very important position here because the sect had always been strong in Karnataka.
Thus, it is clear that, except perhaps Konkan, Jainism was quite popular in almost all parts of Maharashtra. Most of these sites are tirthas till today. A noticeable feature of the sect in this region is that it was strong in important cities of the period. Like the Jaina caves, other Jaina centres also developed in predominantly 'urban cities, capital towns, large trading centres, or popular religious places. Some of them such as Sinnar, Daulatabad, Kolhapur and Thalner were capital seats of ruling dynasties like Yadavas, Silaharas and Faruqis. The sites like Kandhar, Bhandak, Dharur and Ausa were principal administrative sub-divisions of the large empires and held important position. Other sites like Anjaneri, Ardhapur, Aundha, Balsane, Charthana, Dharmapuri, Khidrapur, Lonar, Mehkar, Patne, Pedgaon, Phaltan, Ramalinga Mudgad, Ramtek, Satgaon had religious significance as a large number of Brahmanical remains and/or inscriptions recording either construction of temples or donations to these temples from these sites indicate. Many of these donative inscriptions belong to contemporary ruling families and their subordinate chiefs. The cities like Nasik, Aurangabad and Paithan held importance in all terms, almost throughout history, while Ter and Karnja had been important trading centres.
SOCIO-RELIGIOUS AND ECONOMIC BASE OF JAINISM IN
MAHARASHTRA
In the light of the above discussion an attempt to trace the socio-religious-economic base of Jainism in Maharashtra becomes necessary. The changes in the sect over a period of time, the sub-sects that prevailed and the type of patronage it received are some of the aspects that are highlighted here. Since most of the inscriptions from the caves under study except the one from J27 at Ellora, are very fragmentary and hardly provide any information, either on the rituals, sub-sects or the patronage these caves received, this inquiry is primarily based on inscriptions pertaining to Jaina temples, other Jaina remains and literary texts.
Religious practices
Jainism, mainly an ascetic religion, underwent drastic changes over centuries in terms of its approach to monks and the laity, the mode of worship and rites and rituals.
A major change was the relaxation of strict rules of wandering for monks. Though the texts prescribe the rules of wandering and residence during monsoon (Deo 1954-55), the epigraphs mention monasteries for the residence of the monks and the nuns. This shift triggered off many other changes. When the monks started settling down in monasteries, their dependence on laity increased leading to a number of adjustments made by the sect to get the support of the laity. Many popular gods and goddesses came to be assimilated in the sect and the rituals of worship became elaborate. The tirthankaras were given the status of gods, who could grant boons. The monks claimed to possess magical spells and supernatural powers. There are instances of famous acharyas performing miracles to gain support of ruling families (Deo 1954-55: 562-564). The monasteries with large donations
