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Dr. Hiranand Sastri
Gujarat under his own influence and several under that of his noble disciples. All this is a proof positive of the Jaina influence on the present day architecture of Gujarat. In the olden days Jaina Kings like Kumarapala caused several structures to be made in Gujarat. Some of them are still standing at Girnar, Idar, Taranga hill, Palitana and other places, though the over-enthusiasts are spoiling them by whitewashing and other silly ways of repairing them. He was a zealous Jaina and did considerable good work in getting noble structures built. But it is remarkable that ministers of most of the Kings of Gujarat from Vanaraja downwards were Jainas. Vastupala and Tejahpala were the ministers and multimillionaires Jaina Grihasthas who will carry the palm for their munificence in building wondrous structures. The wonder is that they got constructed not only the Jaina sanctuaries but Hindu temples and mosques even. What more proof is needed of Jaina patronage of architecture in Gujarat.
I reproduce here a photograph of a late mediaeval (15th century) miniature Jaina temple in metal called Chaturmukha in the inscription cut in its pitha, to give an idea of the temple architecture of Gujarat of the period. This miniature I got for study from muni Punyavijayaji, the learned great grand disciple of the illustrious great Acharya to whose Sacred memory (gofa) this volume is inscribed.
In view af all what is stated above it can well be asserted that architecture in Gujarat owes a great debt to Jainas and to great Acharya like Shri Muni Vijayanandasuri Maharaj. Such teachers of humanity are always welcome.
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