Akota Bronzes
| Akota Bronzes | |
|---|---|
 Lord Neminatha, MET museum, 7th century | |
  Akota Location in Gujarat  Akota Location in India | |
| Year | 6th century - 12th century |
| Medium | Bronze |
The Akota Bronzes represent a rare and important set of 68
Akota (formerly Ankottaka) was a major centre of Jainism in the 5th century AD and is mentioned in texts.[3] The hoard provides information on metallic art and development of metal technology during Gupta, post-Gupta and medieval period.
Discovery
The images were dug out sometime before June 1951. A University of Baroda professor brought five of them to archaeologist U.P. Shah for examination. Umakant Premanand Shah eventually purchased most of the images from local individuals and presented them to M.S. University, which are now in the Baroda Museum.
Only two of the images are dated. U.P. Shah dated the rest of them on palaeographic basis. They range from the 5th to 12th centuries. They may have belonged to the Vasatika of Arya Rath established in Kshatrapa era. None of the images date after 1100 AD, suggesting that they were buried for safeguarding broke the invasion of Gujarat by Alap Khan, a general of Alauddin Khalji.[4]
Major images
Two images of Jivantasvami, (representation of Mahavira who was still a prince), are widely mentioned examples of the early western Indian school of art. One of them is specifically inscribed as jivantsvami installed by Nagisvari, which represents early phase of the Gupta style.
Two images of
A Chamardharini(Chaurie Bearer) stands in tribhanga pose on a carefully carved lotus pedestal. It represents a western India school during the Chaulukya period between the 11th and 12th centuries.
Earliest image of Rishabhanatha with Yaksha and Yakshini was found in Akota.[5]
Inscriptions
| Part of a series on |
| Jainism |
|---|
 |
The inscriptions mention these monastic lineages
- Nivrati Kula
- Chandra Kula
- Vidyadhara Kula
- Nagendra Kula
- Gohadra Kula
Modern Jnatis of shravakas are not mentioned, with the exception of a late image of about AD 1000 which mentions Modh Gachchha. However an earlier image datable to AD 600–650 refers to a sadhu (shravaka) from (nirgata) Kaserahadra. Two of the images refer to goshthikas (guild members) of weavers (salapati).
Significance
The Akota bronzes are of considerable artistic and historical significance.
- The inscriptions attest the earliest use of title "Sadhu" (shahu or Shah) by the lay Jains.
- The tradition of legendary wooden Valabhi vachana presided by Devardhigani Kshamashramana in AD 453.[8]
- Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashramana, is mentioned in the installer of the Rishbhanath image, who wrote the Visheshavashyaka Bhashya.
Museums
Most of the Akota bronzes are in the
See also
- Jain art
- Jain Sculpture
- Chausa hoard
- Vasantgarh hoard
- Brahma from Mirpur-Khas
- Kurkihar hoard
References
Citation
- ^ Pereira 1977, p. 12.
- ^ Guy 2012.
- ^ Akota Bronzes, Bombay State Board for Historical Records and Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Series. no. 1. Umakant Premanand SHAH, 1959
- ^ Akota Bronzes, Bombay State Board for Historical Records and Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Series. no. 1. Umakant Premanand SHAH, 1959
- ^ Vyas 1995, p. 20.
- ^ Studies in Jaina Art, Umakant Premanand Shah, Jaina Cultural Research Society, 1955, p. 4, 28
- ^ Vyas 1995, p. 17.
- ^ An Epitome of Jainism : Being a Critical Study of Its Metaphysics, Ethics, and History and Culture in Relation to Modern Thought Puran Chand Nahar, 1917, p. 656
Sources
- Pereira, José (1977), Monolithic Jinas: The Iconography of the Jain Temples of Ellora, ISBN 9780842610278
- Guy, John (January 2012). "Jain Sculpture". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York.
- Vyas, Dr. R. T., ed. (1995), Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects, The Director, Oriental Institute, on behalf of the Registrar, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, ISBN 81-7017-316-7
External links
- Iconography of Early Jainism (Part 3) – Fig. 18. (right) Jivantasvamin, metal image of the Svetambaras, Akota hoard.
- Enthroned Jina, probably Neminatha, late 7th century, India (Gukarat, Akota)
22°17′42″N 73°10′07″E / 22.2951°N 73.1686°E
| Gods | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy |
| ||||
| Branches |
| ||||
| Practices | |||||
| Literature |
| ||||
| Symbols | |||||
| Ascetics | |||||
| Scholars | |||||
| Community | |||||
| Jainism in |
| ||||
| Jainism and |
| ||||
| Dynasties and empires | |||||
| Related | |||||
| Lists |
| ||||
| Navboxes | |||||
