Osiya Ki Prachinta - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Osiya ki Prachinta" by Devendra Handa, focusing on the ancient history and establishment of Osian:

The text, "Osiya ki Prachinta" (The Antiquity of Osian) by Prof. Devendra Handa, delves into the historical origins and establishment of the town of Osian, located in Rajasthan, India. Osian is renowned as the birthplace of the Oswal community. The article presents various traditions and historical evidence to establish the town's antiquity, attempting to reconcile differing accounts and scholarly opinions.

Key Points and Traditions:

Name Origin:
- One local tradition suggests that Osian was originally named Melpurpattan.
- It is believed that a sage named Dhundhlimall, who resided on a hill, cursed the village of Melpurpattan due to a lack of alms, causing its destruction.
- Later, a Parmar prince named Upladev, fleeing from enemies, sought refuge with the then Pratihar ruler. The king granted him the ruins of Melpurpattan. Upladev resettled the place, naming it Navneri Nagari. The name Osian is said to have derived from Upladev taking "osla" (shelter/refuge) there.
- Upladev also established a temple for Sachiya Mata, the family deity of the Sankhala Parmars.
Alternative Tradition from Upakeshagachchha Pattavali:
- This tradition, dating to Vikram Samvat 1363, states that in Shrimal Nagar, a Jain king Jayasen ruled. His sons, Bhimsen and Chandrasen, had differing religious affiliations (Shaiv and Jain, respectively), leading to conflict.
- After Jayasen's death, a succession dispute arose, forcing Chandrasen to withdraw. Bhimsen, who gained power, mistreated the Jains, leading them to leave the city under Chandrasen's leadership and found Chandravati near Mount Abu.
- Bhimsen built three fortresses in Shrimal Nagar for the wealthy, prosperous, and common people, leading to the city being called Bhinmal. Bhinmal became a center for Shaivites and Vamamargis during Bhimsen's reign.
- Bhimsen's sons, Shripunj and Upladev, had a dispute. Shripunj taunted Upladev to establish his own empire. Upladev vowed to do so and left the city. He was joined by Uhad, the son of Shripunj's minister, who was displeased with his brother Subhad.
- Upladev and Uhad met Sangramsingh, the ruler of Bairat, who, impressed by Upladev's bravery, betrothed his daughter to him.
- Upladev reached Dhelipur (Delhi) and acquired horses from merchants by promising payment after establishing his kingdom.
- The king of Delhi at that time, named Sadhu, spent six months in revelry and six months on administration. Upladev presented a horse daily to the king. Upon learning of Upladev's ambition, the king gave him a mare and advised him to establish a new city wherever the mare urinated on barren land.
- Guided by a Shakuni (omen reader), Upladev and Uhad followed the mare. The next morning, near Mandor, the mare urinated on barren land, and Upladev decided to establish his city there. Due to the earth being "usili" (moist/dewy), he named the new city 'Ues Pattana'. Many people from Bhinmal migrated there, expanding the city to twelve yojanas.

Dating the Establishment of Osian:

The article discusses three main viewpoints regarding the establishment of Osian:

Jain Tradition and Acharyas: This view, based on Jain scriptures and tradition, places the establishment in Vir Nirvana Samvat 70 (circa 457 BCE). Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri is said to have converted the local king and established the Veer Mandir. The text critically examines this, stating that there is no concrete evidence to support this early date. It argues that during that period, Bhinmal itself likely didn't exist, Jainism hadn't reached Rajasthan, and the Upakeshagachchha and Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri were not active. This is seen as an attempt to attribute extreme antiquity to the Oswal community. The article dismisses the mention of establishing statues of Mahavir Swami in Koratankpur and Upakesh Pattana in the same auspicious moment as a later attempt to legitimize tradition rather than historical fact, as no temples or idols from the 5th century BCE have been found in India.
Bhats, Bhojaks, and Servants' Genealogies: This perspective, based on genealogical records, suggests the establishment occurred in Vikram Samvat 222 (165 CE) during the reign of King Upladev. It states that the 18 original clans of the Oswal community were established there through the teachings of Ratnaprabha Suri. The author notes a lack of evidence to confirm Upladev's reign in Osian, the presence of Acharya Ratnaprabha Suri at that time, the penetration of Jainism into Rajasthan, or the existence of the 18 clans at that specific date.
"Modern Historians'" View: This viewpoint, often attributed to modern historians, suggests that neither Osian nor the Oswal community existed before the 9th century Vikram Samvat (around 800 CE). However, the article refutes this by referencing verses from Haribhadra Suri's 'Samraichchaha Kaha' (written between 757-857 CE), which mention the town of Ues being prosperous and free from Brahmin taxes, implying its existence before 857 CE.

Archaeological and Epigraphical Evidence:

Mahavir Jain Temple Inscription (Vikram Samvat 1013): This inscription indicates the temple's establishment during the reign of the Pratihar ruler Vatsaraj. Vatsaraj's reign is supported by mentions in Jinansen's 'Jain Harivanshpurana' and Udyotan Suri's 'Kuvalayamala Katha' (778 CE). Combined with other epigraphical evidence (780-783 CE), it suggests the Mahavir Temple in Osian was built before 780 CE, indicating Osian was a prosperous city by that time.
Harihar Temple and Stepwell: These structures also appear to be from the 8th century CE, signifying the town's prosperity.
Commemorative Inscriptions (Vikram Samvat 803, 812): Found in the courtyard of Harihar Temple No. 2, these inscriptions push the antiquity of Osian back to the first half of the 8th century CE. This directly contradicts the "modern historians'" claim of no existence before the 9th century Vikram Samvat.
Torana Pillar Inscription: A crucial new piece of evidence discovered by the author is an inscription on a pillar of a torana (gateway) from the Mahavir Jain Temple. While previously partially published, a closer examination reveals an inscription indicating a temple construction (kirti) in Vikram Samvat 733 (676 CE). The same pillar also mentions the installation of the torana in Vikram Samvat 1035. The text suggests that the temple existing in 676 CE might be the oldest Jain temple in Rajasthan.
Arab Governor Ahmad's Silver Coins: Found in a small earthen pot during the excavation for a school building, these coins are dated to the early 8th century CE. This provides evidence that Osian existed in the early 8th century CE and was likely an important trade center. The presence of these coins also suggests the Pratihar rulers had dominion over western India, including Marwar, by the early 8th century.
Storage Jars (Bhand): Four large storage jars from the same excavation site bear Brahmi inscriptions dated to the 2nd-3rd century CE. This discovery definitively establishes that the town of Osian existed in the early centuries of the Common Era. The author emphasizes that scientific excavation of this site would shed further light on Osian's history and life.

Conclusion on Upladev:

While posterior traditions consistently attribute the establishment of Osian to the Parmar prince Upladev, his identity remains uncertain. The Pratihar ruler who provided him refuge is also not definitively identified. Epigraphic evidence from Mandor suggests the Pratihar dynasty began in the 7th century CE. Therefore, based on these traditions, the antiquity of Osian extends to a time after the 7th century CE, possibly the 8th century CE. If Upladev is identified with Vākpati Manju (Upladev) of Malwa, the establishment could be placed between 674-686 CE.

Possible Interruption and Re-establishment:

The article speculates that Osian, which was a prosperous city by the mid-8th century CE, might have been looted and abandoned by the Abhiras, as mentioned in the Ghatiyala inscriptions of Kakukk. This could explain a potential re-establishment in the 10th century CE.

Overall Argument:

The author, Devendra Handa, presents a comprehensive analysis, critically evaluating traditional accounts and archaeological findings. He argues that while the extreme antiquity suggested by some Jain traditions (457 BCE) lacks concrete proof, and the date of 165 CE is also not fully substantiated, irrefutable evidence, particularly the Brahmi inscriptions on storage jars from the 2nd-3rd century CE and the coins from the early 8th century CE, firmly establishes the existence of Osian in the early centuries of the Common Era, and its significant prosperity by the 8th century CE. The article challenges the notion that Osian and the Oswal community did not exist before the 9th century Vikram Samvat.