Some Early Jaina Temples in Western India

Author(s): M A Dhaky
Publisher: Z_Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_Mahotsav_Granth_Part_1_012002.pdf and Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_

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SOME EARLY JAINA TEMPLES IN WESTERN INDIA : 305
region, as we already saw. Its bid to war with and oust the Svetämbara belief, a war of talents, albeit, fought at the kingly courts through disputations, eventually put it in an ungainly, unenviable position. Three such instances, of historic significance and, those which throw most light on and proved fateful to the future development and spread of Svetāmbara Jainism, are recorded in the annals compiled by the chroniclers. Kamalakirtti, the 'space-clad', proceeded for a doctrinal collision with Pradyumnasūri, the 'white-clad', at Guhila King Allața's court at Åghāțapura; he was defeated;27 Kumudacandra, a scholar suffering from acute pragmatism, blundered in challenging astute and erudite Devasūri at the court of the Solanki potentate Jayasimha Siddharāja where Queen mother Mayaņalladevi herself had presided; Kumudacandra's defeat was as disastrous as his retreat was unceremonious : 28 Guņacandra encountered with Dharmaghosasūri at the court of Cāhamāna Ajayarāja at Ajayameru; Svetāmbara Jainas once more emerged victorious.
But Digambara Jainism, despite these set-backs, did thrive and retained its hold on Western India, particularly in the eastern sector of Rajasthan. In point of fact, it had early beginnings, or at least the tangible evidences of its footings are known from a date not later than the Pratīhāra period. There are, for instance, Digambara Jaina caves near Srīnagara (Ramgarh) assignable to eighth or ninth century. Padmanandi refers to the existence of Jaina temples at Bārā (Baran) in the tenth century. The rock-cut shrine of Padmāyati at Nāgadßha (Nagda) is dated to 946. The torana of the Digambara Jaina temple at Sanganer is referable to 954. There are remains of Jaina temples of late eleventh century as well as of twelfth century at Atru, Arthuna and Kishanvilas.
The Khandelvālas (originally from Khandela), Bagherāvālas (from Bagherā), and Humbața (Humbad) in Vāgada locale were and are the chief Vaņika communities supporting Digambara Jainism in Rajasthan. Mathura Samgha and Mula Samgha were dominantly represented in Rajasthan. Whence came Digambara Jainism in Eastern Rajasthan is a point not so easy to decide. Movements from Gujarat,
27 Allața is said to have erected a kiritistambha at Citrakūța mention
ed earlier, to commemorate this victory. 28 The Rājavihāra at Anhilapāțaka was founded from the money
Siddharāja offered to Devasūri who, being an ascetic, refused to
accept it; he asked the king, instead, to found the temple. GJ.V. 20