Jaina Temples Of Western India

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jaina Temples of Western India" by Harihar Singh, based on the provided pages:

Book Overview:

• Title: Jaina Temples of Western India
• Author: Dr. Harihar Singh
• Publisher: P. V. Research Institute, Varanasi
• Series: Parshvanath Vidyashram Series 26
• Publication Year: 1982
• Focus: The book is a detailed study of the architecture of Jaina temples in Western India, specifically focusing on those in Gujarat and Abu (Rajasthan) datable up to the 13th century AD. It aims to provide a representative picture of Jaina temple architecture in the region by covering these historically rich areas.
• Significance: The author notes that while Jainas have contributed immensely to India's art heritage, there's a lack of independent and scientific research on Jaina temple architecture. This work is presented as a significant attempt to fill that gap, serving as a milestone for future research.

Key Themes and Content:

1. Pioneering Research and Existing Scholarship:

   • The author acknowledges the foundational work of James Burgess and Henry Cousens from the Archaeological Survey of India, whose reports, though brief, are primary sources. Many temples discussed have since disappeared, making these early reports crucial.
   • He critiques subsequent studies by scholars like James Fergusson, Percy Brown, Klaus Fischer, A. K. Majumdar, S. K. Saraswati, M. A. Dhaky, and K. F. Sompura, suggesting they are often brief, secondary, lack scientific criticism, or are compilations of existing material.
   • The author highlights the availability of architectural texts like Samarānganasūtradhāra and Aparajitaprocha, which provide valuable architectural terminology for Western Indian temples.
   • He emphasizes the importance of inscriptions found within the temples for chronology and dedication, noting Gujarat's richness in this regard.

2. Methodology and Aim:

   • The book aims to assemble and critically examine scattered information on Jaina temples of Gujarat and Abu.
   • It's augmented by first-hand field study of the edifices.
   • The primary goal is to trace the gradual evolution of Jaina temple architecture in the region, considering sculpture and iconography alongside architectural styles.
   • The author emphasizes that architectural, sculptural, and iconographic evolutions are not isolated processes.

3. Structure of the Book:

   • The book is divided into six chapters:
     • Chapter I: Historical and Cultural Background: Covers the political, social, economic, and religious landscape of Gujarat up to the 13th century AD, with a focus on Jainism. It details periods from pre-history to the Vaghela period, including dynasties like Mauryas, Indo-Greeks, Ksatrapas, Guptas, Maitrakas, Gurjaras, Rastrakutas, Pratiharas, Caulukyas, and Vaghela. It also discusses the social and economic life, with a special focus on Jainas, and the religious condition, including the Jaina pantheon.
     • Chapter II: Geography and the Religious Sites: Discusses the geographical context of Gujarat and its key religious sites that witnessed Jaina building activity. It details the importance of sites like Kumbharia, Abu, Taranga, Girnar, Shatrunjaya, Vadnagar, Than, Ghumli, Kanthkot, Bhadreshwar, Sejakpur, Sarotra, and Miani, providing historical and mythological background for each.
     • Chapter III: Description of Temples: Provides detailed, site-wise and chronological descriptions of specific Jaina temples, including major ones like those at Vadnagar, Than, Dilwara (Abu), Kumbharia, Girnar, Sejakpur, Shatrunjaya, Taranga, Bhadreshwar, Sarotra, Ghumli, and Miani. It meticulously describes the architectural components like mülaprasada, gadhamandapa, mukhamandapa, rangamandapa, devakulikas, and hastisala, often detailing the ceilings, doorframes, pillars, and sculptural panels.
     • Chapter IV: Characteristics and Chronology: Analyzes the defining characteristics of Jaina temples from the Pre-Solanki and Solanki periods. It discusses architectural features, sculptural styles, and decorative motifs to establish a chronological framework for the temples. The author proposes a division of temples into these two main stylistic groups based on their evolution.
     • Chapter V: Sculpture and Iconography: Focuses on the sculptural forms and iconographic features of the divine images within the temples. It discusses Jinas, Śāsanadevatās, Vidyādevis, Dīkpalas, and other deities, analyzing how their representations help in dating the temples and understanding the evolution of architectural styles. It also covers narrative reliefs and decorative elements like caitya-arches, lotus petals, and kirttimukhas.
     • Chapter VI: Comparative and Evolutionary Study: Traces the development of Jaina temple architecture from its early stages through the Pre-Solanki and Solanki periods. It makes comparative analyses with Hindu and Buddhist monuments, as well as Jaina temples in other regions like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, to highlight the unique evolution of the Solanki style.

4. Key Historical and Cultural Context:

   • Political History: The book delves into the political history of Gujarat, from early settlements to the dominance of dynasties like the Mauryas, Ksatrapas, Guptas, Maitrakas, Gurjaras, Rashtrakutas, Pratiharas, Calukyas, and Vaghela.
   • Socio-Economic Life: It details the flourishing trade and commerce, the importance of agriculture, and the various professions practiced, with a significant focus on the role of the Jaina community and merchant class (Pragvata, Śrimāli) in economic prosperity and temple construction.
   • Religious Condition: It traces the presence and influence of Jainism in Gujarat from early times, highlighting its patronage by rulers like Samprati, its significant presence in Valabhi during the Maitraka period, its continued patronage under the Gurjaras, Pratiharas, Capas, and especially the Caulukyas (Solankis), who elevated Jainism to a state religion under Hemacandra. It discusses the prevalence of Svetambara Jainism and the worship of various Tirthankaras, along with their Śāsanadevatās and other deities.

5. Architectural Features:

   • Materials: Discusses the use of white marble (especially from Arasana) in Northern Gujarat and sandstone in Southern Gujarat and Saurashtra, with black basalt found in Girnar.
   • Temple Plan: Details common temple layouts including mülaprasada (sanctum), gadhamandapa (closed hall), mukhamandapa (open hall), rangamandapa (hall for gatherings), devakulikas (small subsidiary shrines), nalamandapa (passage hall), and hastisala (elephant stables).
   • Superstructure (Sikhara): Describes the evolution of the Sikhara from simpler pyramidal forms to complex, multi-turreted structures adorned with caitya-arches.
   • Decorative Elements: Highlights prominent decorative motifs like kirttimukhas, lotus scrolls, caitya-arches, Nāgas, Vyālas, Apsarās, Vidyadharas, dancers, musicians, and various geometrical patterns.
   • Ceilings: The book pays significant attention to the intricately carved domical ceilings, classifying them by order (e.g., sabhamandāraka, nābhicchanda, padmanabha, mandaraka, sabhapadmamandāraka) and detailing their specific decorative elements like kolas, lambanas, and pendant forms. These ceilings are considered a hallmark of Solanki architecture.

Overall Contribution:

Dr. Harihar Singh's "Jaina Temples of Western India" is a scholarly and exhaustive study that provides a critical analysis of Jaina temple architecture from a historical, geographical, and artistic perspective. It meticulously documents the stylistic evolution, chronology, and iconographic features of these monuments, building upon previous research while also offering new insights based on first-hand study. The book is a vital resource for understanding the artistic and religious heritage of Jainism in Western India.