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CHAPTER 9
JAINAS IN CUTCHH
Settlement of the Jaina community in Cutchh can be traced back to early times. In the northern regions of India, the attacks by foreign invaders had started by sixth century Vikram Samvat. From that time mass migration began. As the most auspicious Jaina pilgrimage centers like Shatrunjay and Girnar were located in Saurastra (western Gujarat), these places were regularly visited by large contingent from far away places. Migration on a small scale may already have started from fifth century Vikram Samvat. The history of settlements of Jainas in Cutchh in ancient times is mentioned in Vir Vanshavali Pattavali. In this book an account is given of a debate between followers of Shiva and Jina, which took place in Suthari, a place of pilgrimage in Cutchh.
There is mention of the existence of a settlement of the Oshwal community in ancient times in the book Kuvalmala written by Shri Udyotan Suri. It is believed Udyotan Suri lived in the ninth century Vikram Samvat. According to the account in that book, because of cruelty inflicted by Mihir Gul son of Toranmal Hun, the people of the Upkesh community fled to Gujarat. The Huns, who were invaders from Central Asia, ruled in sixth century Vikram Samvat.
In Vikram Samvat 802 at the time when Pattan was founded, many business people and statesmen of the Upkesh community from the cities of Chandravati and Bhinmal were invited to come and settle down in Pattan.
In the twelfth century Vikram Samvat, after the Anchal Gachh (monastic linage) was founded, many Oshwal traders and statesmen made their homes in Cutchh, Saurastra, and Gujarat and commanded great respect and
