Jainism in Rajasthan

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Page 13

II. HISTORICAL ROLE OF JAINISAI
Bikaner, Jaipur, Nagaur etc. They indicate the art and culture of the people They also vividly depict the artistic and religious achievements of the people; and as they are dated, they enable us to draw in outline the history of Jaina. paintings in the wider perspective of Indian painting.
(3) WRITINGS OF THE FOREIGNERS: The writings of Greeks, of Yuan Chwang and Arab travellers which throw very interesting light on the religious conditions existing from the very early times to the tenth century AD, have been utilised in this thesis, because they make frequent references to Jainism in Western India.
CHAPTER II
HISTORICAL ROLE OF JAINISM The region now known as Rajasthan was, according to certain geologists, once a deep sea. As a result of certain sudden saismic changes, the sea disappeared and its bottom rose up. Of course, this must have happened in very remote past. This region has always had its importance in Indian history. Bairāth in the Jaipur district is mentioned in the Mahābhāratal as the place where Arjuna served the local chief for a long time. It was a place of importance in the time of Asoka who inscribed his important directions on a piece of rock there. Mount Abū and the town of Bhīnamāla have cach a history of its own. Chittore has played an important part in our political history since the sixth century AD. Mandor also was equally well-known till Jodhpur became the capital of the region. There are several other places which were centres of art, learning and general culture before the erst-while states of Rajasthan were set up.
It seems that in the time of Asoka, Bairāth which occupies a central position in Rajasthan, was selected as the provincial centre for the propagation of Buddhism but no trace of this religion has survived except the Bhābru edict and a few statues found here and there. The dominant religions of this area have been Hinduism and Jainism. Hinduism biust have spread from the north not long after the Aryan penetration of India. It has existed here since the dawn of Vedic civilization with all its later forms. Jainism
1 Mahābhārata, Vol 3 Virāta Parvan.