Akota Bronzes

7th-century Tirthankar image, Akota, at Honolulu Academy of Arts

The Akota Bronzes represent a rare and important set of 68 Jain images, dating to between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, 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.

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. U.P. Shat 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. Note of the images date after 1100 CE, 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 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 stands in tribhanga pose on a carefully carved lotus pedestal. It represents a western India school during the Solanki period between the 11th and 12th centuries.

Inscriptions

The inscriptions mention these monastic lineages

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.

Museums

Most of the Akota bronzes are in the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery. There is an image at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and one at Honolulu Academy of Arts

See also

References

  1. ↑ Monolithic Jinas, Jose Pereira, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., Jan 1, 1977 p. 12
  2. ↑ Guy, John. "Jain Sculpture". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000.(January 2012)
  3. ↑ Akota Bronzes, Bombay State Board for Historical Records and Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Series. no. 1. Umakant Premanand SHAH, 1959
  4. ↑ Akota Bronzes, Bombay State Board for Historical Records and Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Series. no. 1. Umakant Premanand SHAH, 1959
  5. ↑ Studies in Jaina Art, Umakant Premanand Shah, Jaina Cultural Research Society, 1955, p. 4, 28
  6. ↑ Evolution and Appraisal, Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari, in Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects in Honour of Dr. U.P. Shah edited by R. T. Vyas, Umakant Premanand Shah. p. 17
  7. ↑ 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

External links

Coordinates: 22°17′42″N 73°10′07″E / 22.2951°N 73.1686°E / 22.2951; 73.1686

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