Debari Ke Rajrajeshwari Mandir Ki Aprakashit Prashasti

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Debari ke Rajrajeshwari Mandir ki Aprakashit Prashasti" by Ratnachandra Agarwal:

This article by Ratnachandra Agarwal presents and analyzes an unpublished prasasti (inscription) related to the Rajrajeshwar Temple in Debari, Rajasthan. The prasasti, composed in Sanskrit and consisting of 68 verses, was commissioned by the mother of Maharana Raj Singh II of Mewar, Bakhtkunwari, to commemorate the construction of the Rajrajeshwar Shiva temple, a step-well (vapi), and a nearby धर्मशाला.

Key Highlights and Content of the Prasasti:

• Author and Commissioning: The prasasti was authored by Someshwar, who had also composed a poem on the coronation of Raj Singh II. It was written at the behest of Raj Singh II's mother, Bakhtkunwari, to record her good deeds for the benefit of her deceased son.

• Historical Context:

  • Maharana Raj Singh II's reign was short (1755-1760 AD or Samvat 1812-1817).
  • His brother, Arsi Singh II, succeeded him.
  • Bakhtkunwari, from the Jhala dynasty, commissioned the temple and associated structures.
  • The consecration (pratishtha) of the temple took place in Samvat 1816 (or 1820, depending on the lunar/solar calendar), corresponding to Shak Samvat 1685, Vaishakh Shukla Ashtami, Thursday.

• Genealogical and Dynastic Information:

  • The prasasti begins with invocations to Ganesha and Someshwar.
  • It then provides a brief history of the Mewar rulers from Maharana Udai Singh I (founder of Udaipur) up to Raj Singh II.
  • Key Rulers and their Achievements mentioned:
    • Udai Singh I: Founder of Udaipur, described as a city comparable to Indra's city.
    • Pratap Singh: A brave warrior who defeated the Yavanas (Muslims).
    • Amar Singh I: Regained the state's glory and was known for his valor.
    • Karna Singh: Son of Amar Singh I.
    • Jagat Singh: Built the Vishnu temple (Jagdish Temple) and performed sixteen great charitable acts.
    • Raj Singh I: Built the Rajsamudra dam.
    • Jait Singh I: Also built a dam (Jaysamudra).
    • Amar Singh II: Expanded the palaces in Udaipur.
    • Sangram Singh II: Known as a virtuous ruler and performed three gold tuladans (weighing against gold). He also oversaw the renovation of the Jagdish Temple during Aurangzeb's time.
    • Jagat Singh II: Built the Jagannivasa palace.
    • Pratap Singh II: A powerful ruler.
    • Raj Singh II: Son of Pratap Singh II, the subject of the prasasti.

• Maternal Lineage (Jhala Dynasty):

  • The prasasti details the ancestry of Bakhtkunwari, the mother of Raj Singh II.
  • Her father was Karna Singh, a descendant of Jhala Man Singh, the ruler of the region of Jhala (Jhalawar) on the western coast (Kathiawar).
  • The lineage includes rulers like Chandrasinh, Abhayraj, Vijayraj, Sahasmal, Gopal Singh, and finally Karna.
  • Vijayraj of this line had renamed his capital Lakhtar to Ranchhodpuri due to his devotion to Ranchhodji.

• Bakhtkunwari's Contributions and Donations:

  • Bakhtkunwari, daughter of Karna Singh, was married to Maharana Pratap Singh II and was the mother of Raj Singh II.
  • To secure merit for her son Raj Singh II, she built the Rajrajeshwar temple, the step-well (for Shiva's worship), and the धर्मशाला at the entrance to Udaipur (Debari).
  • During the temple's consecration, she generously donated cows, gold, elephants, horses, chariots, jewelry, and other items to Brahmins.
  • She also provided sacred threads to Brahmin boys and facilitated numerous marriages.
  • Her continuous acts of charity, including donations of cattle, grain, and gold, further solidified her virtuous reputation.

• Date of Consecration: The prasasti provides the date of consecration in both numerals and words: Samvat 1816 (Vikram) / 1685 (Shak), month of Madhav (Vaishakh), Shukla Paksha, 8th tithi, under the Pushya nakshatra, with the Gemini ascendant and on a Thursday.

• Significance: The prasasti is considered extremely useful for understanding the achievements of Raj Singh II's mother, her maternal lineage, and the history of Mewar during that period. The article notes that while Hon'ble Ojha Ji had seen a copy of this inscription and published a summary, this article presents the full transcribed text for scholarly study, with some preliminary analysis.

• Editorial Notes: The article mentions some potential inaccuracies in the manuscript copy and highlights that the name of Mewar ruler Arsi Singh II is conspicuously absent from the prasasti, which is considered noteworthy.

In essence, this article is a scholarly introduction and presentation of an important, previously unpublished inscription that sheds light on the charitable and religious activities of a Mewar queen and provides valuable details about the Mewar and Jhala dynasties.