The Akota Bronzes represent a rare and important set of 68 Jain images, dating to between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, which were found in the vicinity of Akota near Baroda in the Indian state of Gujarat. It includes rare Gupta period bronzes that have been widely used for comparison of Gupta period art.[1][2]
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.
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 imagesedit
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 Tirthankara (one of Parsvanatha) are from the post-Gupta period. An image inscribed as donated by Sadhu Sarvadeva include eight standing figures representing the eight planets, on both sides of the dharmachakra. Notable images of Ambika on lion and standing Sarasvati are from the same period.
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.
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).
Significanceedit
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 Jivantasvami image is attested by the image of about 550 AD. specifically inscribed as Jivantasvami.[6] It is regarded to be the first clothed Jain image.[7] It was installed shortly after the Valabhi vachana presided by Devardhi Gani Kshamashramana in AD 453.[8]
Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashramana, is mentioned in the installer of the Rishbhanath image, who wrote the Visheshavashyaka Bhashya.
^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
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, ISBN81-7017-316-7
External linksedit
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)
akota, bronzes, represent, rare, important, jain, images, dating, between, 12th, centuries, which, were, found, vicinity, akota, near, baroda, indian, state, gujarat, includes, rare, gupta, period, bronzes, that, have, been, widely, used, comparison, gupta, pe. The Akota Bronzes represent a rare and important set of 68 Jain images dating to between the 6th and 12th centuries AD which were found in the vicinity of Akota near Baroda in the Indian state of Gujarat It includes rare Gupta period bronzes that have been widely used for comparison of Gupta period art 1 2 Akota BronzesLord Neminatha MET museum 7th centuryAkotaLocation in GujaratShow map of GujaratAkotaLocation in IndiaShow map of IndiaYear6th century 12th centuryMediumBronzeLord Parsvanatha National Museum New Delhi 9th century 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 Contents 1 Discovery 2 Major images 3 Inscriptions 4 Significance 5 Museums 6 See also 7 References 7 1 Citation 7 2 Sources 8 External linksDiscovery editThe 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 nbsp 7th century Tirthankar image Akota at Honolulu Academy of ArtsOnly 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 editTwo 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 Tirthankara one of Parsvanatha are from the post Gupta period An image inscribed as donated by Sadhu Sarvadeva include eight standing figures representing the eight planets on both sides of the dharmachakra Notable images of Ambika on lion and standing Sarasvati are from the same period 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 editThe inscriptions mention these monastic lineages Nivrati Kula Chandra Kula Vidyadhara Kula Nagendra Kula Gohadra KulaModern 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 editThe 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 Jivantasvami image is attested by the image of about 550 AD specifically inscribed as Jivantasvami 6 It is regarded to be the first clothed Jain image 7 It was installed shortly after the Valabhi vachana presided by Devardhi Gani Kshamashramana in AD 453 8 Jinabhadra Gani Kshamashramana is mentioned in the installer of the Rishbhanath image who wrote the Visheshavashyaka Bhashya Museums editMost of the Akota bronzes are in the Baroda Museum amp Picture Gallery There are examples in the National Museum New Delhi Metropolitan Museum of Art New York and Honolulu Academy of Arts See also edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Akota bronze Jain art Jain Sculpture Chausa hoard Vasantgarh hoard Brahma from Mirpur Khas Kurkihar hoardReferences editCitation edit 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 edit Pereira Jose 1977 Monolithic Jinas The Iconography of the Jain Temples of Ellora Motilal Banarsidass 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 7External links editIconography 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 22 2951 73 1686 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Akota Bronzes amp oldid 1170765654, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
