Epigraphia Indica Vol 11 - Book Summary

This volume of Epigraphia Indica, Volume XI, published in 1911-1912, contains a collection of inscriptions and articles on epigraphy from various scholars. While not exclusively a Jain text, it features several inscriptions and discussions relevant to Jainism, alongside a broad range of historical and linguistic studies.

Here's a summary of its contents with a focus on the inscriptions and topics that might be of particular interest from a Jain perspective, though it's important to note that the primary focus of the volume is broader South Asian epigraphy and history:

Key Inscriptions and Articles of Potential Jain Relevance:

No. 1. An inscription at Devageri: This article by J. F. Fleet discusses an inscription in Kanarese from the 10th century AD. It details a dispute involving a "būdagal," which is identified as "an offering of boiled rice to the ghosts." The inscription mentions a "Mahāsāmantadhipati" named Santivarman who demanded grass for his horses and elephants. The story involves village maidens and a man named Allagunda, who restores the right to make the offering. The article also includes an extensive discussion on the evolution of the Kanarese and Telugu initial short 'i' character, which is relevant to paleography. While the inscription itself doesn't appear to be directly Jain, its context within early medieval Indian history and the discussion of local customs might offer tangential insights.
No. 2. Palitana Plates of Simhaditya; The Year 255: Edited by Professor E. Hultzsch, this article presents a grant from the Maitraka dynasty, dated in the Gupta-Valabhi era 255 (AD 574). The Maitrakas were a dynasty that ruled in Gujarat, and their inscriptions often provide context for the religious and political landscape of the time, which included Jainism. The inscription records a grant of land to a Brahmana of the Maitrāyaṇika school who lived at Elāpadra. The summary mentions the donation is for the purpose of increasing spiritual merit and for welfare in both worlds, which are common motivations across various Indian religions.
No. 3. Saheth-Maheth Plate of Govindachandra; [Vikrama-] Samvat 1156: Edited by Pandit Data Ram Sahni, this article discusses a copper-plate inscription of the Gahadavala king Govindachandra. A significant part of the article focuses on the identification of Sahēth-Mahēth with the Buddhist sites of Jētavana and Śrāvastī. It mentions that the copper-plate was found in a monastery at Sahēth. The inscription records a grant of six villages to the "most respectable community (samgha) of Buddhist friars (Śākyabhikshu) of whom Buddhabhaṭṭaraka is the chief." While the grant is for a Buddhist establishment, the discussion of the Gahadavalas and their interaction with religious communities of the time provides a broader historical context. The article also mentions that Govindachandra's queen, Kumaradevi, was a Buddhist, potentially influencing royal patronage.
No. 4. The Chahamānas of Marwar: This extensive article by D. R. Bhandarkar details several inscriptions related to the Chahamāna dynasty, who ruled in Marwar. While the inscriptions primarily deal with the management of festivals and temple grants, and the Chahamānas themselves were often followers of Brahmanical traditions, the geographical and historical context of Marwar is relevant to understanding the spread of Jainism in that region during the medieval period. The article mentions the identification of Jain gachchhas with place names in Marwar.
No. 10. Burmese Inscriptions at Bodh-Gaya: Edited by Taw Sein Ko, this article discusses inscriptions related to repairs and endowments at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh-Gaya. While the primary focus is on Burmese Buddhism, the context of Bodh-Gaya as a significant religious site in ancient and medieval India means that Jain and Brahmanical religious activities would have co-existed and interacted with Buddhist institutions.
No. 13. Goharwa Plates of Karnadeva: Edited by Professor E. Hultzsch, this article discusses inscriptions of the Kalachuri king Karna. The inscriptions detail grants and praise the king's ancestors and his devotion to Shiva. While the inscriptions themselves are primarily Brahmanical, they contribute to understanding the broader religious landscape of the time, which would have included Jainism.
No. 15. Tiruvellarai Inscription of Dantivarman: Edited by K. V. Subrahmanya Aiyar, this inscription is in Tamil and Sanskrit and discusses the construction of a well. It mentions the Pallava king Dantivarman and provides insights into the religious practices and social structures of the time. While not directly Jain, it offers a glimpse into the religious milieu of South India during the Pallava period.
No. 19. The Sirpur Stone Inscription of the time of Mahasivagupta: Edited by Rai Bahadur Hiralal, this lengthy inscription is primarily eulogistic of the king Mahasivagupta and his ancestors, describing their military achievements and patronage of arts and religion, particularly Śaivism and Vaishnavism. While it doesn't appear to be a direct Jain inscription, the extensive discussion of the political and religious context of Maha-Kosal during the Somavamsi rule might be indirectly relevant.
No. 25. The Tibetan Alphabet: This article by A. H. Francke delves into the origins and development of the Tibetan script, tracing its connections to Indian Gupta, Nagari, and other scripts. It also discusses the influence of Buddhism and the historical context of its introduction to Tibet. While the focus is linguistic and historical, the cultural exchange between India and Tibet in ancient times might have involved the transmission of Jain religious ideas or texts, though not explicitly mentioned in this particular article.
No. 26. List of Ministers' Names found in the Tibetan Inscription in front of the Ta-chao-ssu-temple (Jo-khang) in Lhasa, 822 A.D.: Edited by A. H. Francke, this article is primarily about Tibetan history and language. However, it touches upon the cultural interactions that led to the development of the Tibetan script and alphabet, which could indirectly relate to broader cultural exchanges in Asia, potentially including those involving Jainism.

General Scope and Contents:

Paleography and Linguistics: Several articles, like No. 1 and No. 25, contain detailed discussions on the evolution and characteristics of Indian scripts (Kanarese, Telugu, Brahmi, Gupta, Nagari) and the Tibetan alphabet. This contributes to understanding the historical context of the spread of writing systems, which would have been used for Jain texts as well.
Chronology and Dating: A significant portion of the volume, particularly the articles by Professor H. Jacobi on Chola and Pandya kings (Nos. 11, 12, 23, 24), is dedicated to the intricate computation of Hindu dates based on astronomical calculations and epigraphic evidence. This is crucial for establishing chronological frameworks for historical periods, within which Jainism flourished.
Genealogies and Dynasties: The volume presents genealogical information for various ruling dynasties, such as the Maitrakas, Gahadavalas, Chahamanas, Rashtrakutas, Somavamsis, and the Bāņas. Understanding these dynasties and their political influence is important for contextualizing the patronage and spread of Jainism in different regions.
Regional History: The inscriptions cover a wide geographical range, including areas in present-day Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and South India. This provides a broad overview of the historical and cultural interactions across different regions where Jainism was present.
Religious and Social Context: While the primary focus of many inscriptions is on Brahmanical or Buddhist themes, the detailed descriptions of land grants, temple management, and societal structures offer valuable context for understanding the general religious and social environment in which Jainism existed and interacted with other traditions.

In conclusion, while Volume XI of Epigraphia Indica is a broad academic publication on ancient Indian epigraphy, it contains several inscriptions and scholarly articles that, directly or indirectly, offer insights into the historical, cultural, and linguistic landscape relevant to the study of Jainism in India. The meticulous dating of inscriptions, the discussions on regional histories, and the paleographical analyses are all essential components for understanding the broader historical framework within which Jainism operated.