Jain Tirth Taranga Ek Prachin Nagari - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jain Tirth Taranga: Ek Prachin Nagari," in English:

The book "Jain Tirth Taranga: Ek Prachin Nagari" (Jain Pilgrimage Taranga: An Ancient City) by Dr. Kanubhai V. Sheth and Dr. Ramanlal N. Mehta, published by Z_Vijyanandsuri_Swargarohan_Shatabdi_Granth_012023.pdf, delves into the ancient city and prominent Jain pilgrimage site of Taranga.

The authors begin by stating that Taranga is a renowned Jain pilgrimage site primarily due to the Ajitnath temple on Taranga Hill, dating back to the 12th century. They note that while previous studies have been conducted on this temple, they found inaccuracies and a lack of systematic description. Furthermore, a proper site investigation of Taranga itself had not been undertaken. Motivated by these observations, the authors decided to conduct their own on-site investigation to study the ancient city and its history.

Historical Context and Previous Information:

Ancient Texts: Information about Taranga exists in ancient "Prabandhas" (narrative treatises), which mention the Ajitnath temple and some associated activities, but lack detailed descriptions. The practice of describing and detailing the history of pilgrimage sites and temples began in the 19th century.
Early Accounts: The book "Ras-Mala" (by Forbes) mentions that Taranga has several small temples, clean water bodies, and a temple of the goddess Tarana on the mountain, from which the name Taranga is believed to have originated. It is suggested that the Ajitnath temple built by Kumarapala might have existed even earlier. The area is described as forested and difficult to access without a guide. There are two routes to reach it, and a small fort, similar to Idar, is present.
Architectural Surveys: Later, Burgess and Cousens created a detailed map and photographs of the temple, publishing notes in the "Archaeological Survey of North Gujarat" or "Archaeological Antiquities of North Gujarat." Subsequent writings were based on this.
Criticism of Existing Works: The "Jain Tirth Sarva Sangrah" (Collection of Jain Pilgrimages) contains information on Taranga, drawing some literary evidence from texts like "Kumarpal Pratibodh" and "Prabhavak Charitra." However, the authors point out numerous flaws, including a lack of historical chronological order in this compilation. Kantilal Sompura's description of the Ajitnath temple in "Solanki Kalin Gujarat" (Gujarat during the Solanki era) is also noted as lacking historical material.

Geographical and Geological Aspects:

Location: Taranga is located in the Kheralu taluka of the Mehsana district in Gujarat. It is well-connected by state transport and the Mehsana-Taranga railway.
Topography: The Taranga mountain rises about 364 meters above sea level, significantly higher than the surrounding plains. The mountain range is composed of granite formations characteristic of the Aravalli range. The western side of the mountain is steeper and less suitable for habitation, with habitation sites found near riverbeds and in caves within the cliffs. These caves might have Buddhist origins and require further investigation.
Valley Structure: The eastern side of the mountain presents a different geological picture. A triangular valley, approximately 200 meters wide, is formed between two ridges by monsoon streams. The slopes in the lower parts of this valley are gentler and more amenable to human settlement. This favorable geographical condition likely led to the establishment of settlements.
Water Flow: The water streams in Taranga flow towards the Rupen River in North Gujarat, rather than the Sabarmati River, indicating the local land gradient. The text suggests that Taranga's Ajitnath temple, located near the Sabarmati region, might not have been part of the Solanki dynasty's central intellectual circles but rather belonged to the Parmaras of Abu and later the Chauhans.

Archaeological Evidence of Settlement:

The authors present evidence of human habitation in Taranga, based on various archaeological findings:

Buildings and Structures: The foothills of the Ajitnath temple reveal leveled ground and remains of stone walls, indicating construction of houses. These walls are built using local granite, often at right angles. Some structures show a base wall with smaller walls built on top. Both stone and brick have been used in construction.
- Bricks: The bricks found measure approximately 45 x 30 x 7 cm. This size is common for contemporary construction with stupas like Devni Mori. Bricks from later periods (37.5 x 30 x 7 cm) and the Sultanate period (30 x 22.5 x 7 cm) are also mentioned, suggesting that the remnants at Taranga date back to a tradition over 1,500 years old.
Household Items: Remains of roof tiles and pottery are also found. The flat roof tiles, known as "thapla," are similar to modern Meghna tiles and have vertical edges. These are older than the current semicircular tiles. The "thapla" at Taranga have higher edges compared to those found at Devni Mori, suggesting they belong to a later period than Devni Mori's contemporaneous layers, potentially dating the structures to over a thousand years ago.
- Pottery: Fragments of lamps ("kodiya"), bowls ("vadka"), water pots ("kathrot"), and cooking pots ("handi") are also found, aligning chronologically with the roof tiles. Further investigation into older pottery styles could clarify the precise age of the settlement, but current evidence suggests it is around 1,000 to 1,200 years old.
Roads and Pathways: Evidence of roads connecting houses and providing access to temples and ponds has been found. Some paths have systematic stairs, indicating well-planned routes within the settlement and fort. These pathways, along with the houses and household items, point to human habitation at Taranga dating back over a thousand years.

Fortifications and Water Management:

Fortification: A fort was built to protect the city of Taranga. Walls were constructed using local granite in areas where direct ascent was impossible. The fort has a pentagonal shape and features entrances on the east and west.
- Eastern Gate: The eastern gate has features characteristic of the Sultanate period. Sculptures of Shikhar, Chakreshwari, and Tirthankaras are embedded in the wall near the gate.
- Western Gate: The western gate is similar to the eastern one. It features sculptures of Ganesha and Mahishasuramardini in niches, and above them are sculptures depicting warfare. Line drawings and other decorative paintings adorn the walls of the gatehouse and guard resting places. The sculptures of Ganesha and Mahishasuramardini highlight the gate's significance, supported by pilgrimage accounts. Two routes to Taranga are mentioned from this side. The fort itself is estimated to have been built in the 18th century based on its gate designs and features, although further investigation is needed to confirm its exact construction date and whether the gates have been renovated.
Water Reservoirs: The valley of Taranga has evidence of water management systems to support the population.
- Lake: A large lake is located south of the Ajitnath temple. Its embankment is made of earth and stone, with inflows from the Dungarpur side. The lake has been reinforced and deepened with local granite stone embankments. The southern embankment retains the water, with a system for draining excess water to prevent damage. Such artificial lakes are common in Gujarat for essential water needs.
- Stepwell (Vav): East of the lake, near the new dharamshala, there is a stepwell built with lime and brick. Its well-like section is open and square. The initial flight of steps leading to the entrance is open, while the steps from the second level down to the water feature decorative elements like "gagarak," "toran," and "vitan." The water-drawing mechanism area has five central arches. The stepwell contains ancient sculptures of Vayu Deva and Parvati Devi. The bricks used in its construction (45 x 30 x 7.5 cm) are similar to those found elsewhere. The stepwell's design, which differs from typical Gujarati stepwells, bears resemblance to Rajasthani style stepwells. The use of older materials suggests the reuse of parts from pre-existing structures. It is estimated to have been constructed after the 16th century.

Sculptural Evidence and Dating:

Significant Sculptures: The text highlights several important sculptures found in the fort and settlement remains.
- Ganesha and Vishnu: Stone sculptures of Ganesha and Vishnu, located inside the main entrance of the Ajitnath temple, are dated to the 9th-10th century based on their style.
- Padmavati Devi: A beautiful sculpture of Padmavati Devi, housed in a "devakulika" (small shrine) inside the main entrance hall of the Ajitnath temple, also belongs to a similar period.
- Gomukh Yaksha: A marble sculpture of Gomukh Yaksha, found in a niche on the north wall of the temple complex, follows the style of the early 12th century.
- Dipalas: Sculptures of Ishana and Vayu "Dipalas" (directional deities) on either side of the entrance to the Somnath Mahadev temple are also dated earlier than the 12th century.
- Chauhan Kuldevi: Sculptures embedded in the fort walls, including a Mahishasuramardini representing the Chauhan family goddess Ashapuri near the eastern gate, and another worn-out standing sculpture nearby, suggest they are remnants of ancient temples.
Materials and Origin: The sculptures are made of sandstone, marble, and "parewa" stone. The sandstone is from the Hathmati river region, "parewa" stone from the Dungarpur area, and marble from Chandravati or Makrana. The fact that these stones were brought from elsewhere indicates the local community's active engagement and trade.

Conclusion on Settlement and Temple:

The authors conclude that the current Ajitnath temple is located at the center of the ancient Taranga city, south of the main road, making it the primary devotional center. They estimate the human settlement at Taranga to be approximately 1,500 years old. The Ajitnath temple complex includes a circumambulatory path, pillars, halls, a sanctum, and a spire. The presence of necessary water bodies like lakes, stepwells, kunds, and wells within the valley further supports the evidence of human activity dating back to this period.