Samipya 2007 Vol 24 Ank 01 02

Author(s): R P Mehta, R T Savalia
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 9

tree- is expressed in this form of architecture.
The whole temple architecture explains the eternal cycle of evolution, duration and dissolution.
The temple is purusha, the powerful supreme power (Parabrahaman) and emerging here in all directions from the centre Garbhagriha-the womb house. This impact of creative force and Rath and its mergiging into oneness is visible right from the Jagati, pith and Rath and Pratirath-inner recesses of Bhadra in centrifugal gradations and centripetal vitality which shows forth from the pattern of the three dimentional texture of the walls, the body of the purusha as Stella Kramrish puts it.
GHUMLI
During the warning phase of the Gupta Empire in India during the aftermath of Skanda Gupta's death, Bhattarka of the Maitrak Clan was the Commander-in-chief of the army. This man came to Saurashtra and declared his independence in 470-A.D. he placed a Governor at Wamanasthali (modern Wanthali in sorath) and himself founded the city of Walabhipur (modern vala) as his capita. This kingdom lasted for about 300 years (470-760 A.D.) and when in its turn it vanished Saurashtra was rules over by the Jethvas in the west, the Chavdas predominted in the south and south-east, and the Chudasamas assumed an important place at wamanasthali.
The capital of the Jethwas was build at a plce variously called as Bhutamilika, Bhumilika, Bhumli and Ghumli the present degenerated Prakrit form. It was belived to have been founded Shil kumar Jethwas in the 7th Century A.D. in the fastness of the northern side of the Barda Hill.s It is said according to Wilberforce-Bell that this was destroyed in 1313 A.D. by Jam Bamajioji of Kachh, but it is more probable that it fell a prey to the inroads of the Arab invaders from Sindh who possible came by sea as is given by Dr. Altekar of the Banaras Hindu University.
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The site of the ruins of this once famous city, declared by is rulers to be rivalling with Amaravati of the Gods, is shown to this day at a hamlet called Ghumli in the Nawanagar State some 60 miles south of Jamnagar at the foot of the Abhapura Hill. Looking to the ruins Bhutambilika seems to be a fairly big city of one mile in length and half a mile in breadth which should accommodate aboutn 15000 inhabitants. The construction of the city seems to be fan-wise. The ramparts were strong with a moad all round. Among the surviors reminiscent of the 'celestial splendours' of the city as seen at present are an excellent shrine of superb beauty in its original, two other small temples, a fraction of the rempart, a part of the western gateway, a Kund known after the4 Bhrigu Rishi, and the Jeta Vav. Up above the Abhapura Hill are the ruins of a palace, some lakes, and the legendary figure Son Kansari's temples.
We have three epigraphical reference re the antiquity of Ghumli. One of them
સામી : પુ. ૨૪, અંક ૧-૨, એપ્રિલ – સપ્ટે, ૨૦૦૭