Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 770

SOME EARLY JAINA TEMPLES IN WESTERN INDIA: 291
Western India. For that, too, and now in our own turn and times, we are indebted to the sense of history and preservative quality of Jainism. This was possible-as we look back and try to collect and analyse the facts recorded in literature and thrown in relief through archaeological sources-by the circumstances which then prevailed, by the natural disposition of the people, and, above all, by the character of the Svetämbara Jainism itself.
Jainism was as anciently known, or perhaps a little lately, as Buddhism, particularly in Saurashtra region of the Gujarat sector of Western India. Girinagara (Junagadh), but more definitely Valabhi (Vala) in Saurashtra, even before it became the capital of the Maitrakas, was a stronghold of Jainism; a stronghold which persisted but secondary always to Buddhism until it got its chance later on to make its influence felt and, with some intensity to be sure. Against the vast, organized monastic settlements of the Buddhists, Jainas have not much to show between the fifth and the seventh century. Equally, there are not many, and these too not very sound, bits of facts, which can allow us to estimate the degree of munificence shown to Jainism by Maitraka monarchs and their relatives who, by an overwhelming testimony of their inscribed charters, are known for their unbounded enthusiasm for Buddhism. Its existence in the earlier half of the Maitraka Period in Gujarat territory is, doubtless, proved. Jaina bronzes of the sixth century at Valabhi itself, again as old as the now world-famous Akota bronzes of which the oldest can be dated to the sixth century, the Digambara Jina image from Khedbrahma and the rockcut relief images of the same religious affiliation and of the same age at Dhanks, together with a few but indisputable literary evidences so endorse. But Jainism could show its strength only when Buddhism faded from the scene. Buddhism was, by eighth century, tottering throughout the subcontinent. At Valabhi itself, it was dwindling in strength, when, at the same time, Jainism seems to be slowly gaining in stature and weight. But before it could take fuller advantage of the situation, Valabhi was devastated (783-84) by the marauding Arabs from Sind. The sacred Jaina images, just before the
2 Consult SHAH, U. P., Akota Bronzes (Bombay 1959) for details. 3 Ibid.
4 SHAH, U. P., An Old Jaina Image from Khedbrahma, Journal of the Oriental Institute,' Baroda, Vol. X, No. 1, September 1960, Fig. 1. 5 This is the considered opinion of DR. U. P. SHAH.