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Early Jain Archaeology of Madhya Pradesh
Dr. S. K. Dwivedi
Madhya Pradesh is one of the most important states of India. A large number of ruling dynasties exercised their political and cultural pursuits in this region. Ancient remains, epigraphs and traditions indicate that Jainism flourished here prominently. The large number of Jaina temples, sculptures, inscriptions, paintings and manuscripts noticed from the state are witness of a logarithmic growth of Jainism. Embellished with the Vindhya, Satpura and Aravali mountains, tinkling springs, lakes, sacred rivers and thick forest, the land of Madhya Pradesh has various religious traditions which flourished together without any conflict. These traditions played a dominant role in uniting the people. Though, the sovereigns were indulged in sanguinary wars, but the pontiffs were constantly engaged in creating a congenial and spiritual atmosphere in the society.
Jainism was most fervently followed by the existing communities and the people of all walks of life. The heritage of Buddhism in Madhya Pradesh is somehow well studied and documented; but Jainism has not been attempted by the scholars in a proper way. The reason of turning away of scholars from Jainism is not known. Some scholars like A. Cunningham, Muni Kanti Sagar, U. P. Shah, K. D. Bajpai, Balchandra Jain etc. have made sporadic attempt to cull out the history of Jainism in Madhya Pradesh, Madhulika Bajpai has authored a book entitled “Madhya Pradesh main Jaina Dharma kā Itihāsa" (in Hindi) which is very sketchy. Thus, the Jaina archaeology of this geographical unit needs a sincere and serious attempt.
According to Jain traditions, Jainism was carried to Karnatadeśa by Chandragupta Maurya himself, who accompanied the Jain monk Bhadrabahu and their followers. He breathed his last at Sravanabelgola. It is very surprising that no any literary or archaeological evidence states about the route towards south through which the emperor had passed. I believe that the route which Chandragupta maurya followed from Patna (Bihar) to Karnatadeśa passed through Madhya Pradesh and he might have stayed somewhere in Madhya Pradesh for short time. Thus, the Jain tradition had enrooted in the soil of Madhya Pradesh during Maurya
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