Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

Author(s): Renuka J Porwal
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapith

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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
the linguistic and palaeographic ground, Ayagapaṭas were assigned to 1st B.C. The depiction of the stupa on the same was available till 1st century A.D. only. Later on, Ayagapata and the representation of stupa both slowly reduced. (It seems that the erection of stupa was either stopped or changed to Samavasarana concept.)
When the excavation was carried out at the huge site Kankālī mound (Jainī Tīlā), Mathura, revealed the fact that the Jaina stūpa did exist and was adored by the Caturvidha Sangha. Here, pedestals of many images have depiction of the same i.e. Sadhu, Sadhvī, Śrāvaka and Śrāvikā with Dharma-cakra in the centre. Great importance is given to seers as they carry traditions through ages. Jainas' Ardhamāgadhi and Šaurseni literature (Agamas) were carried forward by reciting tradition from Acāryas to their disciples. They were composed between 5th century B.C. and 5th century A.D. Due to a severe famine, there was a loss of memory among Jaina monks, therefore, later on, Agāmas were revised and memorised by monks, in councils held for the same purpose known as Vacanã47. Five Agama vācanās held at Pātaliputra, Kumāri hill, (as per the inscription of King Kharvel) Valabhipura, Mathura, and again at Valabhipura at different intervals. The third and fourth vacanās were contemporary.
Kankālī mound stands between Bhutesvara-temple crossing and B.S.A. college in the south west part of Mathura. According to ASI reports, Cunningham started excavation in 1871. He gave the description as well as the measurement, including the height of the raised portion of the said mound. He noted that the higher portion "had been repeatedly burrowed for bricks". The mound was 400 feet long from west to east and nearly 300 feet wide with a mean height of 10 or 12 feet from ground level. At the eastern end the height was 25 feet with a breadth of 60 feet, and a square at the top, while the base was 150 square feet48. Mr. V.A. Smith also remarks that it long served as a quarry for bricks49. He gave the measurement of the Tīlā - nearly 500 feet long and 350 feet broad as per the plan of excavation (Plate. 1 JSAM, fig. 25, 26 and 27). The same was explored at different intervals by ASI officers as stated below
47 See 'Vacanā Table' in this book.
48 Henrich Luders, ASI report 3, 1873: 19. Mathura Inscriptions unpublished papers, edi. Klaus L. Janert, publ. cottingen- Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht 1961, pp 39. 49 Smith V., 1900, op. cit. pp.1.