Pallu Ki Prastar Pratimaye - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Pallu ki Prastar Pratimaye" by Devendra Handa:

Book Title: Pallu ki Prastar Pratimaye (Stone Sculptures of Pallu) Author: Devendra Handa Publisher: Z_Nahta_Bandhu_Abhinandan_Granth_012007.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/211336/1

This article discusses the historical and archaeological significance of Pallu, a small village in Northern Rajasthan. While Pallu is known for its Jain Saraswati sculptures, the author aims to present a more comprehensive picture, highlighting its role as a medieval art center and important religious site that has endured for nearly two millennia.

Location and Name: Pallu is situated on a mound in the Nohar tehsil of Sri Ganganagar district, Northern Rajasthan. Local legends and the "Pallu ki Khyaat" suggest its ancient name was Kalur Garh (or Kotkalur). The current name, Pallu, is believed to have been derived from the valorous princess Pallu. According to legend, to humiliate the Pugal Bhatis, the Jat rulers of Kalur Garh planned to poison the Bhatti prince and his entourage. Princess Pallu, upon learning of her father's ill intentions and captivated by her husband's beauty, revealed the plot to the remaining Bhatti heroes. They were treated, and the Jats were vanquished, with Pallu's seven brothers also killed. In commemoration of Princess Pallu's bravery, Kalur Garh was renamed Pallu Garh. The name Pallu has also been linguistically linked to Pahlapur from the Khartar Gachh Pattavali and to Prahladakupa mentioned in Chauhan inscriptions.

Antiquity: Pottery shards found around the mound indicate Pallu's ancient origins. The oldest artifact discovered is an Indo-Greek king Philoxenus's copper coin, suggesting Pallu existed in the 2nd century BCE. Shunga-Kushan period red-colored pottery fragments further corroborate this ancient presence. A collection of 100 coins from Pallu, including those of Kushan and Indo-Sasanian kings, points to continuous habitation from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd-4th century CE. After a gap of approximately five centuries (5th to 9th century CE), during which no artifacts have been found, Pallu was resettled in the 9th-10th century. The presence of coins from Muhammad bin Sam suggests a Muslim invasion, possibly leading to the desecration of temples and sculptures. Copper coins from Samanta Deva and Somala Devi indicate Pallu's prominence during their reign. Copper coins of Hussain Shah of Jaunpur suggest trade relations between Pallu and the surrounding region with Jaunpur in the 14th-15th century.

Stone Sculptures of Pallu:

The article details various sculptures found at Pallu, categorized as follows:

Shaiva Sculptures:
- An inscribed pillar made of brown sandstone, dating to Vikram Samvat 1016 (1059 CE), depicts a couple worshipping Shiva in Linga form on one side and Ganesha on the other. The inscription marks the early presence of Shiva worship in the region. The author connects this to the Chauhan dynasty's expansion in the Jangal region.
- Several sculptures embedded in the wall of the Brahmani temple in Pallu include:
  - A standing image of Parvati with a broken leg, adorned with jewelry, holding a water pot (?) and a snake.
  - A fragmented four-armed image (likely Shiva), with decorative elements and a small Nandi.
  - A seated statue, possibly Parvati, in meditation, fragmented from the right and bottom.
  - Another image, possibly Parvati, in Tribhanga pose, adorned with jewelry.
  - A broken Nandi image.
- A stone frame in a local villager's house features a four-armed Shiva seated in Padmasana on a lion skin, holding a trident and an unclear object, with snakes around his arms. Two male figures in dancing poses are depicted on either side.
- A stone sculpture, possibly of Durga, seated in Sukh asana on a lion, holding a sword and a chakra (?), a book-like object, and with her lower hand resting on her thigh.
- A fragmented stone frame with three female figures in various poses, possibly different forms of Durga, depicted in a fighting stance with attendants.
- Two figures of a four-armed Kechaka (Vishnu's vehicle Garuda) seated on Garuda, now in the Bikaner Museum, are also believed to be part of Pallu's Shiva temple.
Vaishnava Sculptures:
- A fragmented frame with four niches showing Lakshmi seated in Sukh asana, holding lotus stalks, a boon-giving gesture, and a water pot, with attendants on either side.
- A sculpture of Lakshmi seated on a high platform, adorned with jewelry, holding lotus stalks, a boon-giving gesture, and a water pot, with four attendants in dancing poses on either side. The lower panel depicts eight women playing musical instruments and dancing.
- A brown sandstone sculpture of Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle, in Pratyalitha Asana, holding a snake and resting his hand on his head, dated to the 11th century CE. This sculpture, donated to the National Museum, New Delhi, is considered an excellent example of medieval sculpture from the Pallu region.
Jain Sculptures:
- Pallu gained prominence in the archaeological map of India due to the discovery of two Jain Saraswati sculptures by Dr. L. P. Tessitori in 1925-26. One is in the Bikaner Museum, and the other is in the National Museum, New Delhi. These white marble sculptures are described as world-renowned for their art and beauty.
- The sculptures depict the four-armed Saraswati standing in Tribhanga pose on a lotus, holding a lotus, a book, an rosary, and a water pot. She is adorned with a jeweled crown, earrings, necklace, bangles, and anklets. Her vehicle, the swan, and a human figure are carved on her back. A miniature image of a Jin (Tirthankara) in Padmasana is above her crown, and attendants holding veenas stand on either side. Donor figures are also depicted. The Bikaner sculpture is noted for its elaborate "Prabhat" arch displaying family deities, elephant riders, and Jain Tirthankaras in Kayotsarga mudra. It is called "The greatest masterpiece of Medieval Indian art."
- The Brahmani temple in Pallu houses sculptures of Brahmani Devi and her sister, which are actually Jain Tirthankara images. According to the author, these were cleverly disguised by the temple priests with veils and robes. One is a standing Tirthankara wearing a dhoti, with attendants, Vidyadharas, and elephant motifs. The seated Tirthankara image has two lions at its base and miniature Tirthankara figures above.
- It is believed that the existence of one or more grand Saraswati temples at Pallu can be inferred from the Jain Saraswati sculptures. These temples might have been destroyed during Muslim invasions, and the sculptures may have been hidden to prevent damage. The legend of the Saraswati temple persisted, leading the cunning priests to establish the found Tirthankara images as goddesses to deceive the public.
Other Sculptures:
- A statue of a donor with a beard and mustache, wearing a helmet-like headdress and adorned with jewelry, standing on a square base.
- A stone frame depicting a woman nursing her child with attendants.
- A small stone sculpture of a woman seated in a palanquin carried by two attendants, with a boy carrying a pot below.
- A standing donor or doorkeeper in Tribhanga pose, adorned with jewelry, holding an unclear object in their left hand.
- A fragmented sculpture with attendants wearing various ornaments, possibly the base of a large pillar.

Apart from the Jain sculptures, the other sculptures and architectural fragments are made of red or brown sandstone or pale sandstone. The dating of these remains places them between the 10th and 12th centuries CE, indicating that Pallu was a prosperous and important art and religious center during this period. The author concludes that excavation of the large mound at Pallu would undoubtedly yield significant findings that could shed new light on the history, art, and culture of Rajasthan.