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JAINA IMAGES AND THEIR PREDOMINANT STYLES :
DAHALA AND SOUTH KOSALA REGION
Dr. R. N. MISRA
The paper attempts to make a brief study of Jaina sculpures in Central India and their stylistic evolution within an over-all pattern of sculptural style that shaped the images of the region under the Kalachuris of Dahala and South Kosala, 1
dedicated to Jinas, while prolific remains of sculptures of Jinas, the seated couples (variously identified as DharanedraPadmavati, Ambika-Sarvanha or the parents of Jina), the Jaina sasana devatas and Upasakas indicate the patronage - both royal and individual—that Jainism seems to have enjoyed during the Kalachuri rule. That some of these images are related to a distinct iconic tradition which is sui geeris has also been sometimes stressed. 2
It is of interest to note that although the Kalachuris were devout Saivas, their faith did not come in way of development of Jainism in the region under their control Some official records of the Kalachuris testify to the construction of temples
1. Many of the sites in these regions were explored by Cunningham and his assistants
Baglar and Garrick in the last century. Among others who worked on this region mention may be made of Bhandarkar and Cousens, Only R. D. Banerji made a study of some consequence in which he attempted to present a systematic survey of the monuments of Haihayas (also known as Chedis or Kalchuris) of Tripuri. Despite these studies no serious attempt was made till recently to systematise the vast amoun of Archaeological evidence in terms of sculptures and monuments in
the region. These monuments are however are now reeiving some attention. 2. The authors' Yakshini images and the Matrika Tradition in Central India',
Prachya Pratibha, IIT, (i), pp, 29-34.
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