Epigraphia Indica Vol 31

The provided text is the table of contents and the beginning of several articles from Epigraphia Indica, Volume XXXI (1955–56), published by the Archaeological Survey of India. While it's a collection of various inscriptions and notes, it does not present a single, unified Jain text for summary.

However, based on the titles and authors listed in the table of contents, we can identify potential articles that might discuss Jain inscriptions or aspects relevant to Jainism. It's crucial to understand that the provided text itself does not contain the full content of these articles, and a comprehensive summary of Jain content would require access to the full articles.

Here's a breakdown of what can be inferred and what a summary might cover, based on the limited information:

General Scope of Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XXXI:

• This volume is a collection of scholarly articles that present and analyze various inscriptions found across India. These inscriptions are primarily written in ancient Indian scripts like Brahmi, Nagari, Tamil, and Telugu-Kannada, and in languages such as Sanskrit and Prakrit.
• The inscriptions deal with a wide range of historical and cultural topics, including royal genealogies, land grants, religious donations, administrative practices, and social conditions of different periods.
• The contributions are made by various scholars in the field of Indian epigraphy and archaeology.

Potential Articles with Jain Relevance (based on titles and authors):

While no article is explicitly titled "Jain Inscriptions" or "Jainism," certain inscriptions might be related:

1. No. 13. Jain Inscription from Shergarh, V. S. 1191 (D. C. Sircar): This article is explicitly identified as a "Jain Inscription."

   • Content Summary (Inferred): This article likely discusses an inscription found at Shergarh, dated to the Vikram Samvat year 1191 (1134 A.D.). It probably details a grant or religious activity related to Jainism. The inscription might shed light on:
     • The political affiliations of the donor (possibly a Paramara king Udayaditya, as mentioned in the context).
     • The specific Jain deity or Tirthankara honored.
     • The administrative context of the donation, mentioning localities and officials.
     • The script used (likely Nagari) and its specific characteristics.
     • The language being Sanskrit, possibly with Prakrit influences.
     • The presence of a "Padma-bandha" design, suggesting artistic or iconographic elements related to Jainism.
     • The donor or their family and their religious affiliations.

2. No. 31. Brahmi Inscription from Kailvan (D. C. Sircar): While not explicitly Jain, Brahmi inscriptions from this period and region can sometimes relate to Jainism, especially if they mention Jain Tirthankaras or concepts.

   • Content Summary (Inferred): This article likely discusses a Brahmi inscription found on a stone vessel in Bihar, dating to around the 1st or 2nd century A.D. While the primary context might be religious, a mention of Jainism is possible given the period and script. It could detail:
     • The ruler associated with the inscription (possibly Arya-Visakhamitra).
     • The date of the inscription and its implications for the Kushana or Saka era.
     • The purpose of the inscription (e.g., donation to a religious establishment).
     • The socio-religious context of the period in that region.

3. No. 41. Bharat Kala Bhavan Plate of Hariraja, V. S. 1040 (D. C. Sircar): The name "Hariraja" does not immediately suggest Jainism, but epigraphy from this period can sometimes reveal cross-religious influences or the presence of multiple religious communities.

   • Content Summary (Inferred): This article likely discusses a copper-plate grant from the Vikram Samvat year 1040 (983 A.D.) attributed to a king named Hariraja. The summary would cover:
     • The dynasty and location of the ruler.
     • The details of the grant (land, recipients).
     • The script (likely Nagari) and language (Sanskrit).
     • Any specific religious context or deities mentioned.

General Observations on the Volume's Content:

• The volume features articles on various dynasties and regions, including Salankayanas, Gangas, Paramaras, Chalukyas, Panduvamsis, Guhilas, Cholas, Guptas, and others.
• The discussions often involve palaeography (study of scripts), orthography (spelling and writing conventions), grammar, historical context, and attempts to establish chronologies and relationships between different rulers and dynasties.
• The volume also includes important sections like "Additions and Corrections," indicating a scholarly effort to refine previous readings and interpretations.

To provide a summary specifically of the Jain content, one would need to access and read the full article No. 13, "Jain Inscription from Shergarh, V. S. 1191," as it is the only one explicitly identified as Jain. The other articles might contain incidental references, but without their full text, it is speculative.