Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 77

68
Jitendra B. Shah
SAMBODHI
built a Jain temple in Karnavati. Jinbhadrasuri of Khartargachchh established libraries at Jesalmer and Ashapalli(Karnavati) (1402 A.D.). Hemhansgani, disciple of Ratnashekharsuri of Tapagachchh, wrote treatise on Arambhsiddhi of Udayprabhsuri (1458 A.D.). Political and Cultural History of Gujarat p.347) has a mention that Laxmisagarsuri (1463 A.D.) bestowed the status of Ganini on Somlabdhi, in 1463 A.D., a reproduction of Neminathfaguni of Jinpadmasuri was created for Matikala. In 1573 A.D., Devratnasuri observed fast for four months, and on this occasion, sage Somji created a reproduction of Mahipalras written in 1516 A.D. According to K. K. Shastri, Cultural Heritage of Ahmedabad, Swadhyay year-8, (pp.14-15) when Janjan, son of Pethadshah, led a Sangh-yatra (pilgrimages) from Mandapdurg (Mandal) in 1284, he arrived at Karnavati passing through Vamansthali and Prabhas. When Gunraj led the Sangh-yatra in 1423 AD, he returned to Karnavati while travelling through Mahuva, Prabhas, Mangrol and Junagadh.
Ahmedabad had religious discussion between Kumudchandra of Digambar sect from the South and Devsuri of Shwetambar sect. The dialogue ended with the defeat of Kumudchandra. The condition of this dialogue was that whoever is defeated, should leave Gujarat with his community. Therefore, all the followers of Digambar tradition left the state at that time. This was a very significant event because after this, Digambar sect could not flourish in Ahmedabad and Gujarat (Mudrit Kumudchandra drama, p.6, Prabhavak charit, pp.174-175, Prabandhchintamani, p.66).
According to Prabhavakcharit(p.84), Shravaks established themselves in Ahmedabad. In his treatise on Chaityaparipati, Lalitsagar has mentioned that there were total five temples in 1662, of which one temple each of Munisuvrat, Shantinath, Bhabha Parswanath and two temples of Adinath.
Shantidas Sheth had built a temple of Chintamani Parswanath (1622-26 A.D.); the grand temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb in 1644 A.D. At this, Shantidas Sheth represented about this malicious act in Delhi. The then King of Delhi had issued an order to reconstruct the Chintamani Parswanath temple and to compensate all the loss. Thus, Jain nobles had their influence not only in Ahmedabad court but also in Delhi court. Aurangzeb was sent to a small province from Delhi as he had hurt religious feelings of Jains of Ahmedabad. Other prominent Jains like Khushalchand Sheth, Lakshmichand Sheth, Vakhatchand Sheth, Hemabhai Sheth and Premabhai Sheth maintained the noble tradition. Due to these qualities, reputation of Jains of Ahmedabad spread across the country. Families of these Jains had always served Ahmedabad during communal riots, foreign attacks and natural calamities like floods, draughts etc.