Jainism in India

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 24

JAINISM IN INDIA
and in his report holds "these were Jaina or śrāvaki temples". That this area was at some time under the Jaina influence is also shown by the find of some Jaina statues on the neighbouring villages of Bilonja.
Strangely enough Manbhum is a district where there are Jaina antiquities in abundance lying exposed and neglected. The more one enquires the more relics come to one's knowledge. The little known village Pabanpur in Barabhum Pargana was obviously an important Jaina centre in olden times. There are a number of ruined temples and broken images. On all the sides of the temple there are damaged images of the Tirthankaras. Another small village Par at a distance of four miles from Anara railway station has also certain Jaina antiquities but there has not been any exploration of the area.
Jaina antiquities in Singhbhum-The cult of Jainism had spread into the interior of the district of Singhbhum in Chotanagpur. In this area they came to be known as śravakas or the Saraks. O'Malley observes in the District Gazetteer of Singhbhum (1906): "The name Sarawak, Serak or Sarak is clearly a corruption of śrāvaka, the Sanskrit word for a hearer, which was used by the Jainas for the lay brethren, i.e., Jainas engaged in secular pursuit, as distinguished from yati, i.e. priests or ascetics. It appears probable that the latter remained in Manbhum, where several Jaina temples have been found while the śrāvakas or lay Jainas penetrated the jungles, where they were rewarded with the discovery of copper, upon the working of which they must have spent all their time and energy."
The influence of the Jainas in the district of Singhbhum is also borne out by many existing ancient relics at Benusagar and other areas. Similar stupas or mounds of earth are also seen at Kesangarh, a village situated south-west of Lalgarh in the extreme south-east of Kolhan. There is another small village Ruam in Dhalbhum situated two miles south-west of Mahulia. There are some old remains at Ruam consisting of a mote, tanks, and accumulation of ancient copper slag and all these indicate a township at one time. Regarding Ruam, O'Malley mentions : "It contains some remains which probably mark a former settlement of the śravakas or lay Jainas."
The reason as to how Jainism had struck deep roots in Singhbhum is not far to seek. Along with Manbhum this district borders Utkal or Kalingadesa (Orissa). There were recognised ancient trade routes between Utkal and these two districts. Singhbhum was also included in the Empire of Kharavela, the great Jaina Emperor of Orissa, Orissa
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