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MEDIEVAL JAINISM : CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
the importance of the Bhandars regarding paintings and miniature.
In preservation of early paintings of palm leaves, the Jaisalmer Bhandar is the foremost one. Though this Grantha Bhandar was established in the 16th century the collection of the illustrated manuscripts throws light on the art of painting from the 12th to the 16th century. There are 35 illustrations in all and the 2 illustrations which are related to Assembly Hall of Jinadatta-Suri clearly shows that the old system of painting of Ellora gradually developed further. There are good many illustrations on the mixture of Buddhist and Jaina paintings. The illustrations on the life of lord Neminatha reveal that the painters of the 12th century were not limited to the painting of the portraits only but they were expert also in making other paintings. The most wonderful painting which has been found on the palm leaves related to the illustration of Lotus Creeper. The date of this painting must be about 12th century. The system of this Patrika is like the painting in Bharat and Bahubali Cand, but there is some special art in the ornaments. In one of the paintings, two ladies are shown enjoying boating.*
The Bikaner Grantha Bhandar also have some illustrated patrikas written on scroks like Horoscopes. There is one illustrated circular letter which is 72 ft. in length and is preserved in the collection of Abhaya Jaina Granthalaya. This gives complete description of the Udaipur city. It has been prepared in an artistic way.
Besides these two Grantha Bhandars mentioned above, other Bhandars of Rajasthan also contain illustrated manuscripts written on paper, maps and other illustrated material on cloth and a few painting on wooden plates. A brief description of some of them is as follows :
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