________________
Historical and Cultural Background
Junagadh inscription indicates that Rudradāman Gujarat and Kathiawar seems to have come to an conquered them either from Gautamiputra or one end in circa 467 A.D.46 However, the Maitrakas, of his immediate successors. That this is not an who succeeded the Guptas in Kathiawar, acknowempty boast is also proved by the fact that Rudra- ledged the sovereignty of Budhagupta, though they dāman himself won the title of Mahākşatrapa and were aspiring for setting up an independent kingtwice defeated Satakarni, the Lord of the Deccan, dom. 46 but did not completely destory him on account of Simultaneous with the Guptas an independent their near connection,"36
line of the Traikutakas was ruling in southern It is not known as to what happened to this Gujarat in the fifth century A.D. So far only three extensive empire during the successive reigns. But
rulers, viz. Indradatta, his son Dharasena and this is beyond doubt that the Kşatrapas continued
the latter's son Vyāghrasena, are known. Except to rule in the province until they were overthrown
for his name occurring on Dharasena's coins notby the Gupta king Candragupta II some time bet
hing is known about Indradatta. But Dharasena ween 388 and 398 A.D.37
was a powerful king, as he issued coins and perfor
med an Afvamedha sacrifice. 47 Vyäghrasena extenSo far no remains of Jaina art and architecture ded the Traikutaka dominion further south into of the region under discussion have come down to us, Konkan and continued to rule there and in southern which may be attributed to the period prior to the Guiarat upto circa 495 A.D.48 After Vyäghrasena Ksatrapas. It is the Ksatrapa period which bequeaths the Traikitaka kingdom was occupied by the for the first time the remains of Jaina monuments.
Vákāțaka king Harişena about 500 A.D.49 These include a group of about twenty monastic caves excavated at Junagadh. One of these caves
The Jaina art relics of the Gupta period are bears carving of some auspicious Jaina symbols
meagre in Gujarat. Only a few bronze sculptures like frivatsa, kalaša, svastika, bhadrāsana, minayugala,
hailing from Akota are attributable to this period, 50 etc. These symbols do not conclusively establish
Fortunately, two of these bear each an inscription, the Jaina character of these dwellings, but the which mentions the name of Jinabhadra Vacanadiscovery of a mutilated inscription of Jayada man's
cārya, who flourished in the sixth century A.D. grandson, referring to those who have attained
Two images are identifiable with Jivantasvāmi. kevalajñāna (omniscience) and conquered jarāmarana
From iconographic point of view these images are Cold age and death), indicates that at least in the very important, for the images of Jivantasvämi second century A.D. the caves were in possession
are rare. of the Jainas.88 .
Maitraka-Gurjara Period (circa 470-745 A.D.) Gupta Period (circa 400-470 A.D.)
The Maitrakas-When the Gupta empire broke The Allahabad pillar inscription reveals that up towards the close of the 5th century A.D., several the Sakas, who are identified with the Ksatrapas, 89 petty chiefs, who were formerly probably vassals were paying homage to Samudragupta. 40 A de- of the Guptas, founded their independent princi. finite evidence, however, of the Gupta sway over palities. Of these the Maitrakas of Valabhi also Gujarat and Kathiawar is met with the reign of proved to be successful and grew very powerful. Candragupta II (380-415 A.D.), when the coins During this period the old capital of Girinagara for this region were issued.41 The rule of Kumā- was abandoned, and Valabhi became the new cenragupta I (415-455 A.D.) in the province is appa- tre of administration. rently indicated by a large number of his coins The first two Maitraka rulers, Bhatāraka and found there. 43 Skandagupta is known to have his son Dharasena I, were probably the vassals of governed this province through his viceroy Parna- the Imperial Guptas, as they are termed only Senā. datta. 48 As most of the Gupta coins found in Kutch pati. The third ruler, Dronasimha (499-519 A.D.). belong to Skandagupta, the Kutch area was pro the younger brother of Dharasena, is said to have bably added to Gujarat and Kathiawar by Skanda- performed his coronation ceremony in the presence gupta.44 With Skandagupta the Gupta rule in of his overlord, probably Budhagupta.51 The next
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