Rajgadhi Timbo

The Rajgadhi Timbo is a mound and historical site of medieval Jain temple located in Umta village in Visnagar Taluka, Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. The site is State Protected Monument under Gujarat State Archeology Department (GSAD).

Rajgadhi Timbo
Rajgadhi Timbo Location in Gujarat
Alternative names	Ruins of Jain Temple at Umta
General information
Status	ruined
Type	temple
Architectural style	Solanki architecture
Location	Umta village, Visnagar Taluka, Mehsana district, Gujarat
Country	India
Coordinates	23°46′51.4178″N 72°33′17.2030″E
Destroyed	possibly 1299 AD
Technical details
Material	sandstone
Grounds	100 sq metre
Designations	ASI State Protected Monument (S-GJ-295)

History

The site of Rajgadhi Timbo was 50 feet high and spread in an area of 100 square metre surrounded by village.[1][2]

The place was a site of massive Jain temple. It was possibly attacked by Alauddin Khalji's generals Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan during the 1299 invasion of Gujarat. After the first attack in which the upper portion of temple was destroyed, the lower portion was buried in layers of lime under mound to protect it from invaders. After 250 years, Darbar Ummatsinh Rana said to have built the Rajgadhi (royal house) on the mound. In 1726, the Rajgadhi was destroyed in fire when the Marathas led by Kuntaji Bande burned down the village. In 1890, Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda State built a school on the mound. In 1985, the back portion of the temple was discovered while demolishing the dilapidated school building for new construction..[1][2]

Archeology

In 1903, three Jain idols were discovered near Rajgadhi Timba. A farmer again discovered two more idols in 1963 which are now in Kunthunath Jain temple in village. The Gujarat State Archeology Department (GSAD) conducted preliminary excavation in 1984-85. The excavation in 1988-89 revealed structural remains of temple, bastion of bricks and few brick walls.[3] GSAD collected some artifacts but it stopped the excavation few days later due to lack of funds. As GSAD stopped, with permission of district collector, the Svetambara and Digambara sects of Jains joined the hands and started independent excavation in 1993 which was stopped due to disputes between sects regarding who will own idols. The dispute was resolved in 1999 and excavation was restarted in 2001.[1][2]

After 30 feet height of excavation, the Jain temple was unearthed. The temple complex was spread in area of 100 square metre. The sandstone temple is in Solanki style. The upper part including Shikhar and Mandapa found in rubble the lower part is almost intact. Jain as well as some Hindu idols were found.[1][2]

The date of construction is not certain but the Prakrit inscriptions found on the pedestal of idols describes the idols were carved on the orders of King Jayasinh Umat and his consorts Shia and Sundari in Vikram Samvat 1240. It is constructed between 11th and 13th century. It seems to be constructed in two stages; the lower part in the 11th century. More than 70 idols were discovered belonging to both sects buried under sand near foundation of the temple which indicates intentional burial. The walls and pillars of temple has intrinsically carved images.[1][2][4]

References

1. "Medieval Hindu-Jain temple unearthed in Gujarat but GSAD avoids excavation work". India Today. 18 June 2001. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
2. "Umta residents seek custody of Jain temple". The Times of India. 26 July 2001. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
3. Joshi, M. C., ed. (1993). "Excavation at Umta, District Mahesana" (PDF). Indian Archaeology 1988–89: A Review. New Delhi: The Director General, Archaeological Survey of India: 11.
4. "This beautiful 1500-year old idol is stolen, inside job suspected". DeshGujarat. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2016.