Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c6.389

c6.389

Before the time of Jinabhadra Sūri only palm-leaves were used for writing, but during his life-time paper became a cheaper and more efficient material for writing. In this period copies of palm-leaf manuscripts on paper were extensively made. This work of preserving the record of palm-leaf manuscripts on paper was carried out by the scribes working under Devasundara Sūri and Somasundara Sūri in Gujarāt, and under Jinabhadra Sūri in Rājputānā. It was through the efforts of such great men that even a part of the great treasure house of the medieval learning has been saved to us to acquaint us with the glories of the people of Gujarāt in the fields of art and literature.