Kahaum pillar is an structure located in Khukhundoo in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The pillar was erected in the 5th century during the reign of Skandagupta. The pillar has carvings of Parshvanatha and other tirthankaras with Brahmi script.
Description
Kahaum pillar is a grey-sandstone that was erected during the reign of Skandagupta, Gupta Empire by a Jain ascetic named Madras. According to inscription of the pillar, the pillar was erected in the Jyeshtha month of year 141 of the Gupta era (A.D. 460–61).
There is a on the pillar with writing with characters belonging to eastern variety of Gupta alphabet similar to that of Samudragupta inscription of Allahabad Pillar. The inscription is written in Sanskrit language, and written in verses except for the first word, siddhaṁ. The inscription defines reign of Skandagupta as peaceful and describes him as "commander of a hundred kings". The inscription also has an adoration to Arihant of Jainism.
Jain sculptures There are carving of five Jain Tirthankara in kayotsarga posture — one in a niche square face, two below the circular stone and two on the pinnacle of the column. These images are identified to be of Rishabhanatha, Shantinatha, Neminatha, Parshvanatha and Mahavira.
The most prominent surviving image is carved on the lower part of the pillar. It represents a nude standing Jina sheltered by a seven-hooded serpent canopy and is therefore identifiable as Parshvanatha. Two kneeling worshippers, a man and a woman, flank the figure. The capital consists of a lotus-bell supporting a square section with a nude standing Jina carved on each of its four faces. These figures have been identified as Rishabhanatha, Shantinatha, Neminatha and Mahavira.
According to inscription, these images were carved by Madra who is described as devotee of dvija, guru and yati.
Inscription
Significance The Kahaum inscription is significant for both Gupta and Jain history. Its precise date makes the monument one of the securely dated examples of Jain sculpture and epigraphy from 5th-century northern India. Unlike royal religious foundations, the inscription records patronage by a private individual, Madra, while simultaneously dating the monument through its reference to the reign of Skandagupta. It therefore provides evidence for Jain patronage outside the imperial court during the Gupta period. The monument also preserves the ancient place-name Kakubha, which has been identified with modern Kahaum (also spelled Kahaon or Kahanv).
See also Gupta art Pataini temple Bhitari pillar inscription of Skandagupta
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