Rajasthan Ka Ek Prachin Tirtha Javar - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rajasthan ka Ek Prachin Tirtha Javar" by Ramvallabh Somani, based on the provided pages:

This article by Ramvallabh Somani describes Javar, an ancient Jain pilgrimage site in Rajasthan, located about 10 km from Teedi on the route from Udaipur to Dungarpur. Historically, Javar was renowned for its zinc mines.

Historical Significance and Rulership:

An inscription from Samoli in V.S. 703 (7th Century CE) mentions a merchant named Jaitak from Vasantgarh arriving in the area for trade. At that time, significant quantities of zinc and silver were extracted from the mines.
Due to its mineral wealth, the region was contested, at times being taken from the Mewar kings and falling under the control of the Guhilot rulers of Kalyanpur and Bagad.
In the medieval period, Maharana Lakha conquered Javar. Inscriptions from Mewar refer to the conquest of "Yoginipur Javar." A copper plate from V.S. 1462 (15th Century CE) records Maharana Lakha donating two Tanka for a Devi temple.
An inscription from V.S. 1464 (15th Century CE) states that a merchant named Kanha built a Jain temple called Veer Vihar. This family was originally from Delwara (Mewar) and also resided in Dungarpur and Javar for trade. Unilluminated inscriptions of the Pippalika branch of the Kharatragachchha and the main branch of Jinvadhursuri are mentioned within Veer Vihar.

Jain Temples and Inscriptions:

The main temple in Javar is the Shanti Jinālay (Temple of Peace), which is now in ruins. It was constructed in V.S. 1478 (15th Century CE) by a merchant named Dhanpal. The inscription indicates Dhanpal was a prominent member of the Jain community who had undertaken pilgrimages to various sacred sites like Shatrunjay, Girnar, Abu, and Chitrakoot.
The inscription from V.S. 1478 also confirms that Javar was part of the Mewar kingdom at that time, mentioning "Rajadhiraj Shri Mokaldeva vijayrajyo." The consecration of this temple was performed by Somsundar Suri of the Tapa-gachchha. His presence with numerous prominent monks indicates a significant consecration ceremony. The temple is also described in the "Sumati Sadhu Vivahalo" by poet Lavanyasamay as a beautiful Jain temple located in the heart of the city.
In V.S. 1486, merchant Kanha built a devakūlikā (a small shrine or cell) in the same temple, with Sahdev as the architect. Another inscription in the same temple mentions Jinā Sagar Suri.
Inscriptions from the Kharatragachchha are found from V.S. 1478 onwards. An inscription from V.S. 1486 mentions the consecration of a Suparshvanath devakūlikā in Veer Vihar by Jinā Sagar Suri (Pippalika branch, Kharatragachchha).
An inscription from V.S. 1464 on a pillar of a ruined temple mentions "Mahavir Chaitya" and Jinā Sagar Suri of the Kharatragachchha, suggesting the consecration of a Mahavir idol around that time.
Inscriptions from V.S. 1462 mention Kharatragachchha monks like Kshamamurti, Vivekavansa, Udayashil, and Merukunjar visiting Javar.
An inscription from V.S. 1465 mentions Harikalash of the Dharmaghosha-gachchha.
An inscription from V.S. 1467 provides instructions from Jinvadhursuri of the Tapa-gachchha (based in Nadol) to a merchant to build a temple in Javar, mentioning Javar alongside other important pilgrimage sites.
An inscription from V.S. 1504 in the Veer Vihar temple mentions monks from the lineage of Jinvadhursuri of the Kharatragachchha.
A inscription from V.S. 1508 is related to Ratnashekhar Suri of the Tapa-gachchha, who organized a grand consecration ceremony where idols were sent to various places, including Kūmbhalgarh and Javar. A statue from this event is still present in a small Jain temple near the Nilkanth temple in Kūmbhalgarh and also in Javar.
The "Sumati Sadhu Vivahalo" mentions Ratnashekhar Suri visiting Javar, where a resident named Ganapati Shah's son Nayaraj took diksha (initiation) from him.
An inscription from V.S. 1554 details land grants to the Ramanath temple.
In V.S. 1554, Rai Mal (son of Maharana Kumbha) gifted Javar to his sister Ramabai. Ramabai, who had returned to Mewar after her husband accepted Islam, had the Ramanath temple and a reservoir built.
An inscription from V.S. 1572 mentions a statue of Parshvanath established by Oswal Sura of Javar in Nana.
A V.S. 1580 inscription mentions the gifting of a manuscript of the well-known "Gita Govinda" which was created in Javar in the 16th century.
An inscription from V.S. 1643 during the reign of Maharana Pratap Singh mentions a monk performing rituals in Javar.
A long inscription from V.S. 1664 details the renovation of Jain temples.
In V.S. 1728, Pandit Chaturaji, a resident of Javar, inscribed a travel record at Abu.
An inscription from V.S. 1776 is found on the pillars of the Ramanath temple, mentioning "Har-Har" and other names. An inscription of Maharana Bhim Singh is found outside the temple, with only a portion reading "Siddh Shri Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Bhim Singha Ji Adesat."
Another inscription from V.S. 1815 near the old court mentions Maharana Raj Singh.

Economic and Social Aspects:

The city of Javar was prosperous, with seven metal mines. It had several notable merchants and a good market.
The article mentions an inscription from V.S. 1567 related to Banveer.
The text notes that Javar was a point of contention between the rulers of Bagad and Mewar. Maharana Kumbha conquered it, and his inscriptions mention the conquest of Javar (Yoginipur).
The "Gita Govinda" commentary praises Javar as "Yogini." It is suggested that after Maharana's final days, the Sultan of Malwa, Mohammad Khilji, attacked Javar and destroyed the Devi temple. Consequently, Kumbha undertook its renovation.
The "Sumati Sadhu Vivahalo" describes Javar as having seven metal mines and being a prosperous city with many lakes.
The author notes that due to continuous attacks by the Marathas in the 16th century, the city was deserted and later re-established as a new settlement, though the temples now stand in ruins.

Author's Acknowledgment:

The author states that he prepared this article at the request of an official from the Javar Mines and received assistance from Shri Nahtaji. He also thanks the officials of the Javar Mines for their help in visiting the site and transcribing the inscriptions.

In essence, the article provides a detailed historical and epigraphic account of Javar, highlighting its importance as an ancient Jain pilgrimage site and a center of mineral wealth and trade in Rajasthan, tracing its history through various rulers and significant Jain monastic orders.