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posts in the royal administrations. Many such officials, dedicated according to the Jaina Mantras and Jain merchants and bankers used their own resources embellished it with a temple in which he was himself to promote Jainism, and contributed generously to represented as a worshipper of Parshvanatha. keep the heritage of Jain art and culture alive. This Jainism had great patrons, above all, among a few culture flourished under the British Raj because of kings from the Chalukya-dynasty (Solariki). Its founder religious freedom and generous help from Jain Mularaja, although he was a Shaivaite had built a Jaina merchants and the wider sangha.
temple. The pious layman Vimala built in the year Jains believe that their 22nd Tirthankara 1032 the famous Jaina temples on the splendid peak (propagators of Jain religion) Neminath attained of Mount Abu during the reign of King Bhima (1022salvation on Girnar in Gujarat. Many other monks have 1064). These temples have brought glory to Abu by also got salvation; especially on the holy mountains of their name Vimala-vasahi. Girnar and Shatrunjaya. The Jain councils were held Jaina-faith in Gujarat experienced a boom in the in Vallabhi c. 5th century CE Their canonical scriptures following period, mainly due to the activity of the were written down during this council. King Vanaraja famous Hemachandra, the most significant writer Chavda (c. 720-780 CE) of the Chavda dynasty was brought to the fore by Swetambaras. Hemachandra brought up by a Jain monk named Shilaguna Suri. was born in the year 1088 or 1089 in Dhandhuka in
Jain temples are found in Gujarat from as early Gujarat as a son of a Jaina-businessman. Monk as the 6th and 7th centuries CE. It was patronized by Devachandra who took notice of the intelligent boy, the Chalukyas and Chavadas. Dhank Caves (3rd-7th requested his parents that he should be allowed to century CE) in Rajkot district has Jain Tirthankara take up his education; he initiated him in holy orders carvings. Northern Gujarat became a principle centre at his age of eight. At this time, he gave him the name of Jainism in the 13th century CE.
Somachandra. Educated in all the branches of Jainism, The earliest known Old Gujarati text Bharat- the youth acquired significant knowledge on account Bahubali Ras, was written by a Jain monk. Of the most of his extraordinary talent; he even made the important people in Gujarat's Jain history were the Brahmanic learnedness completely his own. At his age Acharya Hemachandra Suri and his pupil, of 21, he was ordained under the name Hemachandra the Chalukya ruler Kumarapala.
as an Acharya (master) and successor to his teacher. Jaina-faith did not ever get in any region of India His knowledge and his ready wit in conversation won such a great significance as in Gujarat. It is said that him the friendship of King Jayasinha Siddharaja (1094the 22nd Tirthankara, Aristanemi exerted his influence 1143) from the Chalukya-dynasty. This prominent here, that he obtained Nirvana here and that many ruler, who became famous on account of his pious men got their salvation here on the holy campaigns and buildings, was an enthusiastic friend mountains of Girnar and Shatrunjaya. The important of literature and philosophy. Although he himself was position which Gujarat enjoyed early among a believing Shiva-worshipper, he attracted 1 million Swetambaras could be clearly explained by the fact monks to his palace in Anahilvada-Pattana. that the council met there in a place called Valabhi in When Jaysimaha died in 1143, his grand the year 980 (993) after Mahavira's Nirvana. The nephew Kumarapala succeeded him to the throne of "white-dressed creed" gave the final form to its holy Gujarat. Hemachandra got an important position also scriptures in the council.
in his regime. Kumarapala then gave up enjoyment of Rulers and those in power from various meat and hunting and forbade in his empire aristocratic Houses acted in Gujarat as the patrons slaughtering of animals, eating of meat and enjoyment of Jainism. King Vanaraja (circa 720-780) from of alcoholic drink and gambling. These measures, Chavada dynasty is said to have been brought up by transforming Gujarat into a Jaina-Model-State, were the Jaina monk Silaguna Suriin a forest before he carried out most strictly. The butchers had to give up became a king and, therefore, kept up also later his their occupation for which they were compensated contact with the religion of the Tirthankaras. When by an amount which was equal to their three year's he founded the city of Anahilvada Pattana, he got it income; the Brahmanas had to the animal sacrifice
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