Prologue
As per the Jain tradition, like the previous Tirthańkaras, Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth in line, also established the four-fold sangha comprising the sadhus, sadhvis, śrāvakas and śrāvikās. The tradition, which is known popularly for its philosophical and cultural contributions, was also responsible for the creation of many art-architectural edifices devoted to these Tirthankaras. After the nirvana of these great ford makers, the responsibility of disseminating their teachings to the masses was taken up by the monastic order of the sangha. These renunciants, trained in various knowledge systems and schools of studies, dedicated themselves and made the religious ideas relevant to the commoners. This was done through various engaging activities such as the caturmasas (months of rainy retreat when Jain monks and nuns stay at one place and engage in various religious activities), tirthayatras (pilgrimages to sacred centres), pratisthās (consecration ceremonies), paryuşana daśalaksana (auspicious days during the rainy season when the whole community engages in religious acts, penances, fasts and other things), donations for temple building and image making, donations for building dharmaśālās (residential facilities or inn), etc. Patronage has been the driving force for understanding the dissemination of any religious tradition. In generalised statements, it is usually considered that it was only royal patronage that led to the building of temples. In the case of Jainism in Maharashtra, especially from the early medieval period onwards, a very active role of the laity in patronage has been observed. The book is intended to raise awareness of the Archaeology of Religions in the specific context of Jainism at Devagiri amongst young researchers and commoners. While doing so, various questions on patronage, polity, laity and religion would be raised. The study may not offer clear-cut answers to all the questions raised, but through a systematic survey of texts and archaeological remains at the Devagiri site, a humble attempt has been made to understand the various dynamics of Jainism at Devagiri. Why did the Jains decide to make their presence felt at Devagiri? What is the importance of the site as a sacred centre? How much of the transformation happened at the site with respect to its sacred and political importance? Who were the patrons of the numerous temples located here? How was the coexistence of various religious and sectarian traditions located in Devagiri? What was the cultural exchange between the Jains and the other traditions which existed contemporarily? How were the relations between the Śvetämbara and Digambara sects during their years of coexistence here? Why and how did the site lose its religious and sacred importance? How was the transformation of the site into a defence mechanism and political centre given shape? What do the texts talk about the site, and does the archaeological data corroborate a similar story? What relation did this site have with the other Jain centres? What are the present whereabouts of the site, and what are the works that have taken up this issue of Devagiri, its changing nature and an identity that has not been given attention-Devagiri as a sacred centre and a site of coexistence? The present research focuses on understanding Jainism through a site-specific study at Devagiri (Daulatabad), in the present-day district of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly known as Aurangabad), Maharashtra (Map 1). When a person from a non-History background, or even a graduate who is aware of History, is asked about the importance of this district, or even the whole state, they mention the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora, located in the same district. Even when people discuss Devagiri (or its popular name, Daulatabad), they are referring to the medieval fort as a defence mechanism. Even the commoners and tourists who come here have heard something or the other about the fort, its gates, fortifications, underground passes, moat.
About The Book
Monuments and heritage sites often possess layered identities shaped by shifting religious, political, and cultural histories. Unearthing Jainism: History, Archaeology and Sacred Traditions of Devagiri (Daulatabad) by Oshin Bamb brings to light a lesser-known yet significant dimension of one of the most iconic sites of the Deccan. Commonly remembered for its imposing fortifications and military architecture, Daulatabad is examined here through its earlier identity as Devagiri a vibrant centre of religious activities pertaining to Jainism and other contemporary traditions. Drawing upon a wide range of archaeological evidence, including sculptural remains, temple vestiges and inscriptions, and integrating these with some Jain textual traditions, the monograph adopts a robust interdisciplinary approach grounded in the model of "Text and Archaeology." Through this method, the study reconstructs the Jain sacred landscape of Devagiri and situates it within the broader socio-political, economic and cultural framework of the medieval Deccan. The work critically engages with how dominant historical narratives often overshadow other meaningful dimensions of heritage sites. By foregrounding Jainism and its interaction with polity, patronage, sectarian traditions and material culture, this monograph positions Devagiri as a crucial case study for understanding the complexity of religious life in the Deccan. The book will be of enduring value to students and scholars of History, Archaeology, Indology, Heritage Studies and Jain Studies.
About The Author
Oshin Prasannakumar Bamb is a young researcher working in the fields of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, with a specialised focus on Jain art, archaeology, ethnoarchaeology, public archaeology and the religious landscapes of the Deccan, particularly the Vidarbha region. He is currently serving as Assistant Professor at the Bhagwan Shitalnath Chair for Jain Archaeology, Department of A.I.H.C. and Archaeology, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Pune. He is pursuing his doctoral research on the history of Jainism in Vidarbha. He is also a visiting faculty at the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune and a Teaching Assistant for the UGC-SWAYAM MOOC on Buddhist Tourism. He has been the recipient of prestigious awards and grants, including the Nehru Trust for Indian Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum Small Study and Research Grant (Jain). He has conducted workshops to promote heritage awareness, delivered multiple lectures, and contributed to MOOCs on Indian Knowledge Systems. He has published articles in UGC-CARE-listed, Scopus-indexed and Peer-reviewed journals, and has authored a monograph on the lesser-known megalithic site of Khairwada.
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