Samvat 1730 Nu Amdavadni Nani Doshihatimani Panchhati Madhyenu Hatgrahanak Khatpatra

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samvat 1730 nu Amdavadni Nani Doshihatimani Panchhati Madhyenu Hatgrahanak Khatpatra" by Rasila Kadia, based on the provided pages:

Title: Samvat 1730 nu Amdavadni Nani Doshihatimani Panchhati Madhyenu Hatgrahanak (Giro) Khatpatra (A Pledge Deed of a Shop in Samvat 1730 in the Panchhati area of Nani Doshihati, Ahmedabad)

Author: Rasila Kadia

Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan

Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229566/1

Summary:

This document is a detailed analysis and transcription of a pledge deed (girvi khat) from Samvat 1730 (Shaka Samvat 1595, 1674 CE). The document was discovered in the Gyan Bhandar (library) of the Sanvegi Upashray in Haja Patelni Pol, Ahmedabad.

Physical Description of the Document:

• Material: Written on cloth.
• Ink: Black ink.
• Dimensions: 23" x 93" (57.5 x 24.5 cm).
• Condition: The document is old and fragile. The first line has a tear after the Shaka Samvat year, but the year 1595 is confirmed based on the Samvat. The right edge is torn, and the side with "Mata" (owner) is very worn, though the letters are mostly intact. There's a blank space in the 21st line where the father's name of Bhagwandas should be, suggesting it was to be filled later but was omitted. Overall, the document is significantly aged, perforated, faded, and stained. The script is smaller and less legible than other documents from the same Bhandar. It originally had 37 lines of main text (excluding "Mata" and "Sakshi"), with 9 to 12 words per line.

Language and Script:

• Language: Old Gujarati mixed with Sanskrit.
• Script: Devanagari script. Gujarati numerals are used. The "Mata" and "Sakshi" sections use Gujarati script with a headline. The transcription uses a combination of Devanagari for "hrasva i" and a diacritic for "dirgha i". The letter 'l' is similar to modern Gujarati. The characters 'kh' and 'ṣ' are both represented by 'kh'.

Historical and Social Context:

• Time Period: The document dates to the reign of Aurangzeb in Delhi. The mention of various officials and the Nagarsheth provides insights into the administrative and governance structures of Ahmedabad during that era. Aurangzeb's reign name, "Mahiddin Mohammad Aurangzeb Bahadur Alamgir Padshah Ghazi," is also mentioned.
• Location: The shop (hat) is located in the Panchhati area of Nani Doshihati within Tripoliya, Ahmedabad. The author discusses the historical geography of Ahmedabad, referencing "Tripoliya" as likely referring to three gates. The area between Bhadra and Teen Darwaza was known as "Khas Bazaar," and the road from Teen Darwaza to the current Relief Road/Gandhi Road was also part of this market. "Doshiwado" is the current name for the area. The author speculates that the shop's location might extend beyond Doshiwada towards Haja Patelni Pol and Tankshal ni Pol, based on other sale deeds from the same Upashray.
• Social Practices: The document sheds light on social and familial customs, particularly regarding Stridhan (women's property).
  • Stridhan and Business: It suggests that sometimes property was put in the wife's name to protect it from business losses.
  • Financial Transactions: The pledge involved Shah Trilokshi Pratapshi giving the shop as security. The loan was received from Bai Puji, the daughter of Virji Yadav of the Vriddhi branch of the Osha dynasty, and she is the wife of Trilokshi.
  • Stridhan as Loan: Bai Puji provided 498 Rupees from her "Muhur" (likely her own earnings or Stridhan) and her father, Virji Yadav, gave 325 Rupees from his savings (Sukdi) to their daughter. These amounts are clearly stated as Stridhan, which is legally protected.
  • Inheritance and Family Rights: The document specifies that only the children born from Bai Puji's womb had the right to use the money. This highlights the importance of lineage and direct offspring in inheritance during that period.
  • Maternal Relatives: The shop was inherited by Trilokshi from his maternal relatives, and the deed ensured that no claims were made by them.

Details of the Pledge:

• Purpose: The document details the pledge of a shop (hat) as security.
• Location: Situated in Panchhati, within Nani Doshihati, Tripoliya.
• Terms of Repayment:
  • The shop was pledged for 823 Rupees in old Ahmedabad mint coins.
  • An annual interest of 10 copper coins was to be paid.
  • The shop could be redeemed by Trilokshi if he paid 821 Rupees to Bai Puji and her children.
  • The rent and other expenses of the shop were to be borne by Bai Puji and her children.
  • Trilokshi was to receive no income from the shop.
• Shop Description: The shop had 3 sections, faced west, and had a "pitani" (likely a raised platform or verandah) and "gokhalas" (niches). The front had a 4th section for the "pedhi" (shopkeeper's seat or office area), which had a tiled roof for protection from rain.
• Boundaries:
  • East: Houses of Muslim tailors, with drain water falling onto the shop.
  • West: Exit for the shop's drainage.
  • North: Shop of Shah Bhagwandas.
  • South: House of Panji Sotariya (Sotariya).
  • Front: The main road.

Significance of the Document:

This document is significant for several reasons:

1. Historical Geography: It provides valuable information about the historical layout and places within Ahmedabad, including Tripoliya, Doshiwada, and the market areas.
2. Political and Administrative History: It offers insights into the ruling structure and officials during Aurangzeb's reign in Ahmedabad.
3. Socio-Economic Customs: It illustrates important social and familial customs of the time, particularly concerning Stridhan, property management in financial distress, and inheritance rights.
4. Legal Practices: It showcases the legal mechanisms of the time, such as pledge deeds and the protection of women's property.

In essence, the document is a rich primary source that offers a multifaceted view of Ahmedabad in the 17th century, encompassing its geography, governance, and the everyday lives and practices of its inhabitants.