Kankali Tila (also Kankali mound or Jaini mound) is a
mound located at
Mathura in the Indian state of
Uttar Pradesh. The name of the mound is derived from a modern temple of Hindu goddess Kankali. The famous Jain
stupa was excavated here in 1890-91 by
Alois Anton Führer (Dr. Führer).[3]
The mound almost rectangular in shape is 500 feet long by 350 feet broad.[3]Kankali Tila brought forth many treasures of
Jain art. The archaeological findings testifies the existence of two
Jain temples and stupas. Numerous
Jain sculptures, Ayagapattas (tablet of homage),[4] pillars, crossbeams and lintels were found during archaeological excavations.
Some of the sculptures are provided with inscriptions that report on the contemporary society and organization of the
Jain community.
Most sculptures could be dated from the 2nd century BC to the 12th century CE, thus representing a continuous period of about 14 centuries during which Jainism flourished at Mathura. These sculptures are now housed in the
Lucknow State Museum and in the
Mathura Museum.
Excavation
Alexander Cunningham worked at the western end in March and November 1871. The objects found by Mr. Cunningham were all Jain, with the exception of one ten-armed Brahmanical figure. Mr. Growse operated on the northern portion in 1875. In Volume XVII of the "Reports" (page 111), Mr. Cunningham noted that in the season of 1881-82 he dug up many Jain figures, including one inscribed with the name of
Vardhamana, the last of the 24 Jain Tirthankara.[5] Dr. Burgess and Dr. Fuhrer extended the excavations to the eastern end at different times from 1887 to 1896. Mr. Harding, a predecessor of Mr. Growse as Magistrate of Mathura, also made some excavations. The excavations at Kankali Tila acted as a testimony to the claims made by Jains regarding the great antiquity of their religion.[6]
Images of
Neminatha found in Kankali Tila dating back to Kushan period depicts him as a cousin of
Krishna and
Balarama.[7]
Significance
The sculptures and the inscriptions found at Kankali Tila suggest that in that period a clear Digambar-Shwetabar division had not risen. The Tirthankar images are all unclothed and monks are represented as not wearing a loincloth, but with cloth on one forearm. The names of divisions of the monastic orders match exactly with those given in the Kalpasutra.[8]
Gallery
1st Jain Tirthankara Rishabhanathaswami (Circa 8th Century CE) Barsana Government Museum Mathura
A quadruple Jain Image
Quadruple Jain Image, excavated from Kankali Tila, c. 1st century CE
Jain Tablet Homage Set-up by Vasu the daughter of Courtesan Lavana Sobhika - Circa 1st Century CE - Kankali Mound (ACCN 00-Q-7 - Government Museum, Mathura)
Description of the tablet
Jina in meditation
Idol of
Rishabhanatha, first Jain Tirthankara, excavated from Kankali Mound (Government Museum - Mathura)
Three Quadruple images of Tirthankar excavated from Kankali Tila, c. 42 BCE(V.S. 15)
Images of Tirthankar Mahavira excavated from Kankali Tila
Colossal Head of Jineshvara (Gupta Period)
Jain Images and Stupa - Bronze - Modern Period. Government Museum Mathura
Tirthankar Lord Parshwanatha (1014 CE) Kagarol Government Museum Mathura
Jain Tirthankara Lord Naminatha - (Circa 12th Century CE) ACCN 00-B-77. Government Museum Mathura
Tirthankara Lord Parsvanatha (Post Gupta Period) - Kosi Kalan ACCN 18-1505 Government Museum Mathura
Tirthankara Lord Neminatha (Circa 12th Century CE) ACCN 00-B-77 Government Museum Mathura
Jain votive plaque (c. 200 CE)
Kankali Tila inscription of
Kanishka, Year 5 and 7
Pillars
Jain Yakshini Ambika (Mediaeval Period) Government Museum Mathura
Jain Yakshini Chakreshvari devi
Jain statue inscribed
Samvat 1134 (1077 CE), about 60 years after the sack of Mathura by
Mahmud of Ghazni. Kankali Tila, Mathura.[9]
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kankali Tila.