Stambhanpur Khambhatna Lekho - Book Summary

This document summarizes inscriptions found in Stambhanpur (modern-day Khambhat), Gujarat, India, as part of a larger collection of ancient Jain inscriptions. The author, Jinvijay, details several inscriptions, providing historical context and scholarly observations.

Here's a breakdown of the key inscriptions and their summaries:

Inscription No. 447:

Location: Found in the temple of Stambhan (Thambhan) Parshvanath in Khambhat.
Date: Samvat 1366 (approximately 1309 CE).
Context: During the reign of Alpkhan, representative of the emperor Alaudin, in Stambhanpur.
Builder: Sah Jesal, a devout Shravaka (lay follower) from the Ukesh dynasty, built a magnificent temple of Ajitdev Tirthankar along with a monastic lodging (pishadhshala).
Sah Jesal's Significance: He was a prominent Jain, known for his extensive donations, aiding the poor, and undertaking pilgrimages to major Jain holy sites like Shatrunjay and Girnar with large congregations. He also built a temple of Shantinath in Patan.
Family Details: His father was Sah Keshava, who built a temple of Parshvanath named "Sametshikhar" in Jaisalmer. Sah Jesal had several brothers and sons, including Sah Raju Dev, Sah Veliy, Sah Jehda, Sah Lakhpati, Sah Jaisinh, Sah Jagdhar, Sah Salakshan, and Sah Ratnasinh.
Historical Figures: The inscription refers to Emperor Alauddin, identified as Alauddin Khilji, the ruler who brought Gujarat under Muslim rule. Alpkhan is identified as his governor in Gujarat.

Inscription No. 448:

Location: Found in the temple of Kunthunath in Khambhat.
Publication: Previously published in an English book titled "Collection of Prakrit and Sanskrit Inscriptions" by the Bhavnagar State.
Physical Description: Carved on a white marble stone, 31 inches long and 16 inches wide.
Condition: The inscription is incomplete, making its exact date and some details unclear.
Content Summary:
- Verse 1: Praises the first Tirthankar, Rishabhdev.
- Verses 2-3: Glorifies the 23rd Tirthankar, Parshvanath.
- Verse 4: General praise for all Tirthankars.
- Verses 5-6: Hints at the origin of the Chalukya dynasty.
- Verses 7-8: Praises King Arnooraja from that dynasty.
- Verse 9: Mentions Arnooraja's queen, Salakshanadevi.
- Verses 10-12: Describes their son, Lavan Prasad.
- Verse 13: Mentions his wife, Madanadevi.
- Next 4 verses: Detail the exploits of their valiant son, Viradhaval.
- Verse 18: Names his queen, Vayjaladevi.
- Verse 19: Describes the virtues of King Vishaldev.
- Conclusion: The inscription is fragmented after the 19th verse, with only one line remaining of a 30th verse. The author believes it was likely a significant and informative inscription that has been lost over time.

Inscription No. 449:

Location: Found in an old temple of Chintamani Parshvanath in Khambhat, carved on a hard black stone.
Physical Description: The stone slab is 32 inches long and 19 inches wide, with 29 lines of inscription.
Condition: The upper left portion of the stone is broken, damaging the beginning of the first 11 lines.
Content Summary:
- Structure: Poetic composition, with approximately 7 verses.
- Publication: Also published in the aforementioned Bhavnagar State book.
- Challenges: Due to damage and some inaccuracies, the full meaning is not entirely clear.
- Key Details:
  - The initial verses praise Parshvanath.
  - Verse 5: Mentions a date: "Samvat 1165, Jyeshthadi 7, Monday." The context of this date is unclear due to the inscription's damage. The author suggests it might relate to the construction of the temple.
  - Verses 6-10: Provides a genealogy of the later rulers of the Chalukya dynasty (known as the Vaghela dynasty in history). It mentions Arnooraja, his son Bhunig (Lavan Prasad), and his son Viradhaval. It details Viradhaval's sons: Viram, Visal, and Pratapmal. It then mentions Pratapmal's son, Arjun (Arjundev), and his two sons, Ram (Samdev) and an unnamed son (possibly Sarangdev, mentioned in inscription 46).
  - Following Verses: Describe the lineage of the temple's builders. It mentions a wealthy and religious man named Khelana from the Medh dynasty in Stambhatirthpur. His wife was Badada. They built the temple. His son, Vikal, built a pavilion. His sister, Ratna, married Dhansinh and had sons who were propagators of various lineages. Verse 18 mentions Yashvir. Verses 19-20 mention Aaswad, his wife Jahundevi, and their sons Madanpal and another unnamed son.
  - Verse 21: Mentions King Khetal, known as "Vijaysinh" for his bravery.
  - Verse 22: Vijaysinh renovated the temple for the merit of his deceased younger brother, Lala.
  - Verses 23-24: Further praise for Vijaysinh.
  - Verse 25: Lists his three wives: Anupama, Shreedevi, and Sutavi.
  - Verse 26: Mentions his son, Devsingh.
  - Verse 27: States Vijaysinh performed the Trikal Puja of Arvadev under the guidance of Acharya Yashkirti.
  - Verse 28: Mentions Sangana, born in the Hunkar dynasty.
  - Verse 29: Mentions Jayata, born in the Simhpur dynasty.
  - Verse 30: Mentions a Shravaka named Prahaladan.
  - Verses 31-39: States that these three individuals, along with others whose names follow, came to Khambhat from Malwa, Sapadalaksha (region near Ajmer), and Chitrakut (Chittor) with a younger brother of a prominent person named Abha. These householders were Jain devotees, including Sahshridev, Dhandhu, Kahu, Hall, Rahad, Dharmatma (son of Rajmanya Gajpati), Dhaman, Nabhepati, Sadhu Dek, Shubhshad, Ghedhad, Sem, Ajaydev, Khetahari, his younger brother Punahari, Ban, Dede, Rané, and Chhajju.
  - Establishment of Funds: To ensure continuous worship of Parshvanath, they established levies on goods like textiles, sugar, copper, alum, madder, soapstone, leather, dyes, etc. A levy of one dramma per bullock for goods filled with jaggery, blankets, oil, etc., and half a dramma per bullock for goods filled with other items was imposed on market transactions.
  - Date of Levy: Samvat 1352 (approximately 1295 CE).
  - Reigning King: Sarangdev was the king at the time this levy was established.
  - Oversight: The responsibility for managing the temple's expenses through these levies was entrusted to specific individuals: Nana, Teja, Dhana, Moy, Ahara, Deva, Rajyadev, Bhajdev, Salu, and Ratna.
- Attribution: The inscription was written by O. Sama and carved by the architect Paka.

Inscription No. 450:

Source: A manuscript copy was found in the collection of Shri Kantivijayji Maharaj.
Location: The original inscription's location is unknown, but based on its content, it is believed to be from the Chintamani Parshvanath temple in Khambhat. The author notes that this temple appears to be different from the one mentioned in the previous inscription (No. 449), as this one seems to be newly constructed.
Content Summary:
- Structure: 62 verses in total.
- Praise: The first two verses praise Parshvanath and Mahavirdev.
- Verse 3: Praises Sudharma, the Ganadhara of Mahavirdev, whose disciples protected Jainism.
- Verse 4: Mentions Jagachandrasuri, who received the title "Pabiru'd" in Samvat 1285.
- Lineage of Acharyas: Traces the lineage from Jagachandrasuri to Hemvimalsuri, then to his disciple Anandvimalsuri. Anandvimalsuri reformed the monastic order in Samvat 1582. His disciple was Vijaydansuri, and his successor was the famous Shri Hiravijayasuri.
- Hiravijayasuri's Deeds:
  - In Samvat 1639, Emperor Akbar summoned him to Fatehpur Sikri.
  - At Hiravijayasuri's request, Akbar prohibited animal slaughter throughout the empire for six months.
  - He also caused the abolition of "Jijiya tax" (a tax on non-Muslims) and the confiscation of property of deceased individuals by the government.
  - The management of Shatrunjay, a holy site, was handed over to the Jain community, and the practice of collecting a "mundka vesh" (a fee from pilgrims) was stopped.
  - A prominent monk named Meghji, along with his followers, abandoned his own sect and became a disciple of Hiravijayasuri.
- Vijayaseunsuri's Virtues: Verses 14-22 detail the qualities of Hiravijayasuri's chief disciple, Acharya Vijayseunsuri. Akbar also invited him to Lahore. He engaged in theological debates with other scholars, earning the title "Vijay". Following Hiravijayasuri's counsel, Akbar again prohibited animal slaughter for six months and, additionally, banned the killing of cows, buffaloes, bulls, and calves permanently.
- The Main Patrons: Parikh Vaji and Rajia:
  - Ancestry: They belonged to the Shriman dynasty of Gandharpur. Their ancestors included Alhanshi, Dehunshi, Muhalsi, Samra, Arjun, and Bhim. Bhim's wife was Laloo, and their son was Sima. Sima's wife was Jasma.
  - Vaji and Rajia: These two virtuous and respected brothers were the sons of Sima and Jasma. Vaji was married to Vimladevi, and Rajia to Kamaladevi.
  - Vaji's Son: Meghji.
  - Migration to Khambhat: Later, Vaji and Rajia left their ancestral home in Gandhar and settled in Khambhat.
  - Reputation and Influence: They spent their inherited wealth wisely, gaining great fame and respect. They were honored in the courts of Emperor Akbar and the governor of Portugal.
  - Devotion: They were devout followers of Acharyas Hiravijaysuri and Vijayseunsuri and actively participated in religious activities.
  - Temple Construction: In Samvat 1644, they spent a considerable amount of wealth to build a temple of Parshvanath and the present Tirthankar, consecrating the idols of Parshvanath (named "Chintamani Parshvanath") and the current Tirthankar through the hands of Vijayseunsuri with great ceremony.
  - Parshvanath Idol: The idol was 41 angulas tall, attended by Sheshnag, and had seven cobra hoods carved on its head.
- Temple Description: The Chintamani Parshvanath temple built by Vaji and Rajia had:
  - Twelve pillars and six doorways.
  - Seven small shrines (devakulikas).
  - Two guardian statues (dwarpal).
  - Twenty-five other statues around the main idol.
  - A magnificent underground chamber (bhumi-griha) with 25 steps.
  - In front of the chamber, a statue of Ganesha.
  - The underground chamber was square, ten hands high, with 26 small shrines and five doorways.
  - It also had two guardian statues and four attendants holding chauris (fly-whisks).
  - On its platform, idols of Adinath (37 angulas), Mahavirdev (33 angulas), and Shantinath (27 angulas) were installed.
  - The chamber contained sculptures of 10 elephants and 8 lions.
  - This temple was considered a great ornament and attraction in Stambhatirth (Khambhat).
- Attribution of the Praise: The praise was composed by the poet Hemvijay, a disciple of the poet Kamalvijay. The research was done by Pandit Labhvijay. It was inscribed on stone by their fellow disciple Kirtivijay and carved by the sculptor Shridhar.
- Prose Conclusion: The prose section at the end briefly summarizes the main points of the inscription.
- Connection to Vijayprasasti: The description of the temple in this inscription is identical to verse 11 of the "Vijayprasasti" poem. Verses 37, 38, 39, and 59 of this inscription correspond to verses 49, 50, 53, and 69 of that poem.
- Significance of Vaji and Rajia: The author highlights Vaji and Rajia as prominent Shravakas of the 17th century. The poet Rishabhdas of Khambhat, in his "Hiravijayras," describes them as equal to the great patrons Vimal Shah and Vastupal of earlier times.
- Rishabhdas's Account of Vaji and Rajia's Virtues:
  - They built five Jain temples (one in Gandhar, one in Champavati (Khambhat), one in Neja, and two in Badode).
  - They commissioned numerous idols of various metals (gold, silver, gems, coral, brass) and countless stone idols.
  - They renovated many temples.
  - They organized pilgrimages to sites like Abu, Girnar, and Ranakpur.
  - They were highly respected by Emperor Akbar, who exempted them from taxes.
  - They were also well-received by Portuguese officials and often mediated to resolve disputes.
  - They secured the release of many prisoners and animals (fish, cows, buffaloes, goats, birds).
  - They were so influential that if a condemned person came into their sight, their execution could be pardoned.
  - Rishabhdas recounts specific anecdotes:
    - Release of a Khwaja: They helped release a Khwaja from Portuguese custody, even acting as a guarantor for a large sum and later helping him return to his homeland.
    - Intervention with Thieves: When 22 thieves were to be executed on a festival day, the executioner hesitated upon hearing that it was "Parikh Rajia's big festival." The thieves were released by the executioner, who declared Rajia a great friend and savior of lives.
  - Total Donations: They spent approximately thirty-three lakh rupees on charity.
  - Son's Legacy: Their son, Parakh Nemji, continued their philanthropic work, organizing a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay and being honored as the Sangh-pati.
  - Further Deeds: They released Portuguese captives, returned their looted property, provided free grain during a severe famine, gave loans of money, made secret donations, anonymously fed the hungry, built monastic lodgings, and distributed household items and cash.

In essence, the book "Stambhanpur Khambhatna Lekho" by Jinvijay meticulously documents historical Jain inscriptions from Khambhat, shedding light on the religious, social, and political history of the region. These inscriptions highlight the patronage of Jainism by wealthy merchants and rulers, the architectural achievements of the time, and the spiritual guidance provided by Jain monks.