Kanhadde Prabandh Sanskrutik Drushti Se

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Kanhadde Prabandh Sanskrutik Drushti se" by Bhogilal J Sandesara, from a cultural perspective:

Overview of Kanhadde Prabandh:

The text is an analysis of the "Kanhadde Prabandh," an epic poem composed in Old Gujarati (Maru-Gurjar) in 1456 CE (Samvat 1512) in Jalor, a region in Western Rajasthan bordering Gujarat. The poem was authored by Padmanabh, a Nagar poet from Visalnagar. It is considered a significant and celebrated work in ancient Gujarati literature, depicting a lengthy narrative filled with heroism and pathos.

Historical Context and Narrative:

The "Kanhadde Prabandh" chronicles the invasion of Gujarat by Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji during the reign of Karna Dev Vaghela, the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat. A key event it describes is Alauddin's request for permission to pass through the Jalor kingdom, ruled by the Sonigra Chauhan king Kanhardev. Kanhardev's refusal of this request and his subsequent defeat of the Sultan's army on their return journey from Gujarat (carrying fragments of the Somnath Shiva lingam) are central to the narrative. The poem also details the siege of Jalor, the eventual fall of the fort due to a treacherous Rajput, and the subsequent Jauhar (self-immolation) by the Rajput women.

Literary and Linguistic Significance:

• Poetic Style: The poem is primarily composed in Doha-Chaupai meter, with interspersed emotional Pad-Umiya geet at appropriate junctures. Padmanabh's poetic style is characterized by its vigorous, flowing, eloquent, and patriotic tone.
• Language and Vocabulary: The poet demonstrates exceptional mastery over the language and its vocabulary. Notably, the poem contains a significant number of Persian and Arabic words, reflecting the linguistic influences of the time and the interaction between Hindu and Muslim cultures. The author notes that no other ancient Gujarati literary work contains such a high proportion of these loanwords.
• Historical Accuracy and Cultural Insight: As the court poet of Akheraj, a descendant of Kanhardev, Padmanabh possessed complete knowledge of the historical facts and background. His direct experience of Hindu and Muslim politics contributes to the poem's significant historical and cultural value. It provides a vivid glimpse into the contemporary social conditions.
• Linguistic Unity: The composition of the poem in Jalor by a poet from Gujarat highlights the linguistic unity between Gujarat and Rajasthan until the 16th century. It serves as evidence of the common ancestral form of the later distinct languages of modern Gujarati and Rajasthani.

Rediscovery and Scholarship:

The "Kanhadde Prabandh" had been largely forgotten by scholars and the public until its rediscovery by the renowned scholar Dr. Georg Bühler, who found a manuscript in a Jain library in Tharadh. Bühler, an authority on Indian studies, sent a copy to Navalram Laxmiram Pandya, a prominent Gujarati literary critic. Pandya, despite the manuscript's inaccuracies, published it in the Gujarat Shala Patra in 1877-78. Since then, further manuscripts have been discovered. Shri Dahyabhai Derasari undertook the first systematic editing of the "Kanhadde Prabandh" (1913, second edition 1926), basing his work on five manuscripts. Shri Kantilal Vyas later re-edited it in 1953, utilizing all eleven known manuscripts.

The Concept of "Prabandh":

The text explores the term "Prabandh," noting that while its literal meaning is "composition," in Sanskrit literature, it refers to a specific literary form prevalent in Gujarat and Malwa, particularly favored by Jain writers. These often comprise historical or semi-historical narratives in simple Sanskrit prose, sometimes with verse. Examples include Merutunga's "Prabandh Chintamani" and Rajshekhar Suri's "Prabandh Kosh." The author discusses how the term "Prabandh" might have been adopted in Gujarati literature for historical narratives, citing examples like "Kanhadde Prabandh" and "Vimal Prabandh." However, this definition is not entirely rigid, as some manuscripts of "Kanhadde Prabandh" label it as "Charitra" or "Pāwada," and "Vimal Prabandh" is also referred to as "Ras." The distinction between "Ras" and "Prabandh" is examined, with the observation that the lines are not always clear-cut, and some compositions are referred to by both terms.

Cultural and Societal Aspects:

• Religious and Social Conditions: The text mentions that Narsinhrao Divetia has provided a brief analysis of the religious and social conditions, the state of the populace, and the warriors, as depicted in the "Kanhadde Prabandh" in the preface to the second edition of the edited work.
• Administrative Structure (Dvirajya - Dual Kingship): A significant portion of the analysis delves into the "Dvirajya" (dual kingship) system, a practice where two rulers (father and son) shared the reins of power. The author draws parallels to this system from Kautilya's "Arthashastra" and Jain Agamas. Evidence suggests this system was prevalent among the Vaghela rulers of Gujarat, citing examples like Lavanprasad and Viradhaval, and Arjunadev and his son Ramdev. Similarly, the Chauhans of Suvarnagiri-Jalor also practiced this system, as evidenced by inscriptions mentioning Kanhardev ruling alongside his father Samant Singh.
• Military and Warfare:
  • Arms and Armor: The "Kanhadde Prabandh" provides detailed descriptions of various types of arms and armor, including swords (khadga, pata), shields (top, rangavli), daggers (katari, singani), and lesser-known weapons like the "Guraj" (a mace-like weapon). Descriptions of armored garments like Jarahajijina, Jivansala, Jivrakhi, Angarakhi, Karangi, Vajrangi, and Lohabaddaludi are also present.
  • Artillery: The poem includes references to cannons (nalika/nirta) and gunpowder (gola, bhukā). The author discusses the earliest known mention of cannons in Indian literature, placing the "Kanhadde Prabandh" among the earlier historical accounts of their use. The vivid description of the siege of Samariyana fort, with cannons firing and projecting stones, is highlighted.
  • Horses and Cavalry: The text enumerates various breeds of horses, some named after their colors or physical characteristics, and others by their geographical origins (e.g., Singhuya, Pahithana, Undira from Uttar Pradesh, Kultha from Kanya-desh, Mahuyada from Madhya Pradesh, Devgiri, Boriya from Bahad-desh). It also mentions foreign breeds like Spanish horses and Khurasani horses, indicating the importance of imported steeds. The term "las" for a herd of horses is also discussed.
• Urban Planning and Architecture: The poem offers descriptions of urban layouts and architectural features. The "bhadavli" sections within the poem contain prose narratives that describe aspects like Jalor fort, Kanhardev's court, and the city of Jalor. These descriptions are valuable for understanding the urban fabric of Gujarat and Rajasthan in that era.
• Social Hierarchy and Professions: The poem lists various royal officials and functionaries, including ministers, samantas, mandalikas, dharmadhikarana, masahani, tavari, barahiyā, purush, vaiḍā, and others. It also mentions professions like nagar-talar (city guard), pauliya (gatekeeper), suar (cook), avadhāniyā (overseer of kitchens), dehrasari (temple supervisor), and bhandari (treasurer).
• Trade and Merchants: The text notes the mention of merchants and their business activities within Jalor, particularly the division of Visha and Dasa communities, which still holds true for Gujarat and Rajasthan. It also hints at the presence of foreign merchants dealing in horses.
• Warrior Clans: The inclusion of various Rajput clans, including the Hunas, in Kanhardev's service is noted. The lineage of the Hun dynasty's connection to the earlier Chauhan rulers is also explored.

Conclusion:

The "Kanhadde Prabandh" is deemed highly significant from both linguistic and literary perspectives within Maru-Gurjar literature. It holds a special place among the source materials for medieval Indian history. The author emphasizes its importance, especially in the current trend of researching "non-Persian sources" (sources not written in Persian). The poem is placed alongside renowned Sanskrit epic poems like Jayanaka's "Prithviraj Vijay" and Nayachandra Suri's "Hamir Mahakavya," highlighting its artistic merit and historical relevance. The author expresses gratitude for the opportunity to study and present this invaluable work.