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 : 325
We shall not dwell on OJHA's statements which follow BHANDARKAR and which are not very clear in contents. There is yet another authority who recorded his observations on this temple. PERCY BROWN thus writes: “It appears to have been first built at the end of eighth century, and then repaired and added to in the tenth century, so that it is a record of development over two periods. This is shown by the changes in style of the building throughout, but particularly in the character of the pillars, in which it is possible to compare those of the mandapa belonging to the original structure with the latter example in the second porch; this latter apartment or nal mandapa is so called because it was erected subsequently over the nal, or staircase, leading into the interior of the building. To add to the history of this temple, the torana or entrance archway appears to be even a still later addition, probably made in the eleventh century. In this one building alone, therefore, it is possible to follow the course of the style over a period of several centuries."47
TO PERCY BROWN's observations following corrections may be applied: the Main Shrine suffered no renovation except replacement of the sikhara in the eleventh century; there are thus no changes throughout the style of the building;48 the nala-mandapa still possesses considerable material that is original, of the eighth century and in situ. PERCY BROWN's complete silence on the Devakulikās is intriguing and unless these be added, it is not "possible to follow the course of the style over period of several centuries".
The sequence of constructional activities in this complex can be visualized on the strength of the detailed style-critical analysis seconded, wherever known, by epigraphic evidences. Accordingly, following stages seem to have ensued. The Jagati with its eastern Ubhayamukhi Mukhacatuṣki, the Valānaka, the Main Temple with the Mukhamandapa, and the southern part of the Bhramantikā were built at one time; that is when Vatsarāja Pratihāra ruled according to Jindaka's inscription. All these structures follow the Mahā-Māru style in its virginal purity. They are the oldest in this complex. Jindaka repaired the Valānaka in 956. Before his times, perhaps, the
47 BROWN, PERCY, Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods),
Second Edition, p. 140. 48 SHRI KRISHNA DEVA has very carefully examined this temple. His
own conclusions on this issue are exactly the same. He visited the Osia group of temples some years previous to my own visit.