History of Gopachala

'History of Gopachala' highlights salient features of Jaina architecture and sculpture. This book provides the knowledge of geographical, cultural and religious background about Gopachala which is known as Gwalior in the present.

The work contains several selected plates of marvelous Jaina art and architectures. The appendices of this work are useful for reference. The authentic list of 24 Tirthankaras with cognizance and their associate Yaksas and Yaksis is also enclosed with appendix.

This work is very useful for research scholars, students of History as well as common readers.

The contribution of Prof. K.D. Bajpai, an eminent scholar of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology is significant. Bharatiya Jnanpith is proud of this unique publication.

An authority on Indology, History, Epigraphy, Prof. K.D. Bajpai was born on 10th December 1917 at Raipur (Raebareli, U.P.).

He commenced his professional carrier at the archaeological museum Mathura at the post of Curator (Director) for more than a decade. He joined Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Saugar as Head from 1958 till his retirement in 1977. He was also a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research for nine years.

Publications : His 36 Books and about 800 research papers are published on Indian History, Culture and Archaeology. Some of them are : Archaeology of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow 1953, Saugar Through the Ages, University of Saugar, 1964, Indian Numismatics Studies, Delhi 1976, Cultural History of India, Vol-I, Madhya Pradesh, Kanpur, 1985, Indian Art and Religion, Varanasi 1985, (in English) and Mathura, New Delhi 1980, Bharatiya Vastukala ka Itihasa, Lucknow 1970 (in Hindi).

He has received numerous honours including inter alia, the R.P. Chanda Meal of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta and the Nelson Wright Medal of the Numismatic Society of India.

Few ancient sites in the country can claim an almost uninterrupted history and represent the broad-based cultural ethos of India as Gwalior does. Known as Gopachala in the past, the present city of Gwalior, including the area around, has preserved to this day the multifarious facets of the glory and wonder that was India.

From the pre-historic days to the present times Gwalior has contributed, in a considerable measure, to the fields of polity, socio-religious harmony, language, literature and fine arts. Commanding peculiar strategic position, Gwalior has been a link between the North and the South. The political ups and downs and the cultural advancements and depressions, in the long Indian history, have left their indelible marks on the face of Gwalior.

A great centre of peaceful co-existence among the followers of various faiths. Gwalior paved the way for amity and toleration through the media of literature and fine arts. The role of Jainism, in this regard was commendable indeed.

Bharatiya Jnanpith has been conducting the work of research and publication in various fields of Indian culture, particularly in regard to the Jaina studies. It has been encouraging the cause of higher learning by duly honouring scholars of different Indian languages. The Jnanpith Award has been instituted to fulfil this objective. Several publications of the Jnanpith, including the original texts, have rightly earned the admiration of scholars in the country and abroad.

Sometime back, Sri Shriyans Prasad Jain, the noble mentor of the Jnanpith, realising the importance of Gopachala, asked me to prepare an illustrated work on that site. The present study is the result of his constant goading and guidance, for which I am grateful to him. I thank Sri Gopilal Amar, who helped me in the study tour of Gwalior.

My esteemed friend, the late Professor M.H. Rao, I.A.S. was keen that I should prepare a book on Gopachala. I pay my tributes to him for his encouragement. My son Dr. S.K. Bajpai, has been helpful in checking up the typed pages. Sri P.K. Shuklo, Photographer of the Sagar University, accompanied me to Gwalior and prepared photographs of the monuments and sculptures which are published in this book.

The present publication has been prepared with a view to giving an adequate appraisal of the extant monuments at Gopachala and also to highlight the growth of literature and culture, which represent the aspect of national integration.