Jaina Temples of Western India

Author(s): Harihar Singh
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi

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Jalna Temples of Western India
upied his kingdom, perhaps when the Muslim army returned to Delhi, but lost it again and for ever in 1304 A.D.921
During the Vaghela period the power and prestige of Gujarat declined considerably, and ultimately it passed into the hands of the Muslims. But the building activity was continued. This is clearly evident from two extant Jaina temples, one existing at Kantokot and the other at Miani. As Vastupāla and Tejapāla were the greatest builders during the preceding age, so were Jagaļū of Bhadreshwar
and Pethada of Māndavagadha during this period. According to Sarvānandasūri, Jagadū built a temple to Adinātha at Dhank, a Caturviṁsati-Jinālaya at Wadhwan, a temple to Ādinātha with 52 devakulikas at Satavați, and a temple to Santinātha at Devakula near Sulaksanapura,222 Pethada is said to have erected 84 Jaina edifices at different places such as Shatrunjaya, Māndavadurga, etc.223 At Bhorola, near Deesa, Muñjāsāha built a Jaina temple in 1246 A.D.224 In 1279 A.D. Cahana built a temple to Parávanātha at Cānasmā. 22 5
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE From the discovery of a dockyard and a Persian sorts, silk, mallow-coloured cotton, silk thread, Gulf seal at Lothal it appears that the maritime long pepper, etc. 230 In trade and commerce activity between Gujarat and the islands of Persia Broach even excelled Barbaricum (in Scythia ruled existed as early as the third millenium B. C.226 by the Parthians).231 Apart from this solitary evidence, nothing is known about the economic conditions of Gujarat preceding
The Ksatrapas appear to have bestowed con
siderable attention on the agriculture of Gujarat. the Mauryan age.
This is clear from the repairing of Sudarsana lake The Mauryan period witnesses a rich condition by Rudradaman.382 Broach continued to be an in agriculture and trade. Kautilya informs that the important port about this time, as Ptolemy menpeople in Saurashtra live by agriculture, trade and tions that Broach was a great mart 233 The wielding weapons. 227 The Mauryan rulers appear Ksatranas derived enough of revenues from the to have taken steps to augment the agricultural import duties at this port. The Girnar inscription resources of the country. This is exemplified by of Rudradāman indeed makes a reference to such their construction of the Sudarsana lake at a bulka or custom duty.294 Girnar.228
The Guptas also took keen interest in the deveThe author of the Periplus (first century A. D.)
lopment of agriculture in the country. This is definitely presents a richer picture of agriculture
apparent from the reconstruction of the above menand industry when he writes that the interior parts
tioned Sudarsana lake, which had been destroyed of Barygaza (Broach) and Saurashtra produce
by a severe storm during this period. 256 The abundant corn and rice, the oil of sesamum, butter
textile industry appears to be an important industry and muslins, and the coarser fabrics which are
of Gujarat, as the Mandsor inscription of 473 A. D. manufactured from Indian cotton.229 Broach was
makes mention of a guild of silk-weavers of Lāța.238 an important port about this time. The following
Broach was an important port about this time commodities were exported and imported from this
also, 237 a fact suggestive of active participation of port--the various imports were wine, principally
Gujarat in India's overseas trade, which must have Italian, brass or copper and tin and lead, coral and
been a source of income to the people of Gujarat gold-stone or yellow-stone, cloth of all sorts, varie
and also to the country. gated sashes half a yard wide, storax, sweet clover, meliot, white glass, gold and silver specie, perfumes During his visit to the kingdom of Valabhi or unguents, instruments of music and handsome Hiuen Tsang observed that "the soil is rich and young women for concubinage; while the exports fertile and produces abundant harvests. Shrubs comprised spikenard, costus and bdellium ivory, and trees are numerous and flourishing. Flowers onyx-stones and porcelain, box-thorn, cotton of all and fruits are met with in great quantities. The