Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c8.s1.t3.10

c8.s1.t3.10

It is difficult to determine the exact period in which the Jain authors took to writing on paper. Muni Punyavijayaji¹² quotes two references from the Kumārapāla-prabandha written in 1435 A.D. by Jinamaṇḍana-gaṇi, and Upadeśatarangiṇī written in the 16th century by Ratnamandiragaṇi. In the first reference it is related that Kumārapāla one morning after paying his respects to his teachers and monks proceeded on an inspection of his office (lekhaśālā). There, clerks (lekhakāḥ) were seen writing on paper (kāgadapatrāṇi). He asked for the reason of this unprecedented use of paper as writing material from his teacher and was told that as śrītālapatras had been exhausted in writing of the Jñānakośa, the use of paper could not be helped. The second reference mentions that Vastupāla once ordered the preparation of six copies of the Siddhānta, written on palm-leaves and paper.