Jainism in India

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

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JAINISM IN INDIA
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during the reign of Surya Simha, Vastupala erected a temple to Parsvanatha. The Bhama family installed an image of Parsvanatha at Kapda in 1621 A.D. during the reign of Jaya Simha. The inscription is historically significant. It indicates the occupation of Kapda village of the Sirohi state by Jodhpur. It is probable that Surya Simha occupied it after the defeat of Suratana Simha. In 1626 A.D. during the reign of Gaja Simha, Jayamalla had installed images in the Adinatha, Parsvanatha, and Mahavira temples of Jalore. Pali and Medta in this state had similar installations in 1629.
In 1737, the pratiṣṭha mahotsava was celebrated at Marotha during the reign of Abhaya Simha. At this time Marotha was under the feudatory rule of Bakhata Simha and Vairisal; it was no independent kingdom. The chief minister Rama Simha erected many temples and installed many images. In 1767 A.D. was celebrated the rathajātrā festival with due pomp in the reign of Mertiya Rajput Hukam Simha.
Jainism in Bikaner-Bikaji and his successors had great respect for Jainism and the Jaina monks. Maharaja Raya Simha was a true devotee of Jina Candra Suri. At the prayer of Karma Candra he recovered from Akbar about 1050 Jaina images (of Sirohi ?) that the Emperors' men had looted. On the occasion of the confirment of yugapradhana title on Jina Candra Suri at Lahore, Karma Candra joined the party of Maharaja Raya Simha and Prince Dalpat Simha and made gifts of scriptural books to the great savant. Maharaja Raya Simha was also in intimate touch with Jina Simha Suri, the spiritual successor of Jina Candra Suri. The Hamyira family had installed the image of Neminatha in his kingdom in 1605 A.D.
Karna Simha ascended the throne in 1631 A.D. He donated land for the construction of the Jaina upasarās. Maharaj Anup Simha had great intimacy with Jina Candra and Jaina poet Dhrmavardhana. The poet had even written a poem on the occasion of his accession. There was much correspondence between Jina Candra Suri and Maharajas Anup Simha, Jorawar Simha, and Sujan Simha. In 1765 Surat Simha was crowned king. He looked on Jnanasagara as an incarnation of Lord Narayana. He donated land for the erection of Jaina upasarās. He had great respect for the Dadasahib and for the recurring expenses of worship at the latter's shrine he gave 150 bighās of land.
Jainism in Jaipur-Jainism made much progress under the patronage of the Kacchava kings of Jaipur. There were at least fifty Jaina Jain Dewans (chief ministers) in this stateersoManyoscriptures were writtenrary.org