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Plate 64 Dr L.M. Singhvi, High Commissioner of India in the U.K and the author, pay their respects to Aacaarya Yashovijay at Bombay, December 1995.
(Digambar) Manuscripts: Three palm-leaf manuscripts, the Sarkhandaagama, the Mahaa-bandha and the Kasaayapahuda, all dating from about 1112-1120 CE, in the collection at Mudabidre, appear to be the oldest illustrated texts of the Digambars (Ghosh A. 1974: 3.411). The paintings consist of decorative medallions with a geometrical or floral pattern and portraits of divinities, ascetics, donors and devotees. The colours used are white, yellow, blue, red and black. The Khajuraho Jain manuscript library contains two manuscripts of 1107 CE.
Of the paper manuscripts in western India, no manuscripts prior to 1450 CE seem to have survived. The Tattvartha Sutra, the Yasodhara-carita, the Jasahara-cariu and other texts have been made by Bhattarakas from the 15th century onwards (Ghosh A. 1975: 3.412-13).
In northern India, the oldest illustrated manuscripts found, are the Aadipurana in Yoginipura (1404 CE), the Maha-purana in the Naya Mandir, Delhi (c.1420 CE) the Jasahara-carita (c.1434 CE) the Sangrahani Sutra (1583 CE), and the Yasodhara-carita (1589 CE). Illustrated Digambar manuscripts are few in number compared to Svetambar manuscripts. Both sects used the styles of manuscript illustration that existed in the region and executed many manuscripts during Moghul period. Jain manuscripts provide valuable clues to understanding life in the pre-Moghul period and also help to project the developments and ramification thereafter, thus contributing significantly to the history of Indian painting (Ghosh A. 1975: 3.426-27).
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