Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c6.228

c6.228

There are thirty-four miniatures in a palm-leaf manuscript of the *Kalpasūtra* owned by the Seth Ānandji Mangaljinī Peḍhīnā Jñāna Bhaṇḍār at Iḍar²³ (Figs. 59—78). Unfortunately, the manuscript does not bear any date. Mr. Sarabhai assigns it to the 14th century, and Mr. C. J. Shah²⁴ dates it to the thirteenth century, without giving any reason. Prof. Norman Brown²⁵ does not agree with this early dating and gives reason for his disagreement. According to him, these miniatures are stylistically more complicated palm-leaf miniatures known to us, and, therefore, would be naturally expected to come at the end of the palm-leaf period than a century or more before its close. The gold is for the first time used in certain miniatures; this practice was probably learnt from the Persians. On these grounds Prof. Norman assigns the miniatures to the end of the 14th century. The miniatures represent eight auspicious symbols, and the birth and various other episodes from the life of Mahāvīra.