An Illustrated Jain Manuscript Transitional to the Rajput Style

IN W. NORMAN BROWN'S recent study of Avetdmbara Jaina manuscripts (those belonging to the Uttarddhyayana Siltra series),' there is a most interesting manuscript of transitional style, his JP. This manuscript, dated equivalent to A. D. 1591, is the first Jain manuscript thus far discovered which represents a transitional style-a transition from Early Western Indian to Rajput style. Because of its unusual interest among Jaina manuscripts, it merits several comments. (1). The JP manuscript was painted by a non-Jain artist, as is evidenced by its radical departure in iconography and style from the Early Western Indian, probably at the request of Jain patrons to aid in the propagation of the faith. (2). The miniatures of this manuscript present a unique instance up to the present of a Jain manuscript in transition to the new Rajput style. (3). Many of the Iranian elements in this manuscript are derived from Persian manuscripts of the post-Seljuk school or those about 1400

Archaeology · Style (visual arts) · Chinese history and philosophy · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Indian History and Philosophy