Nagada's Ancient Jaina Temple

Summary

M.A. Dhaky’s article ‘Nagada’s Ancient Jaina Temple’ examines the architectural history of a relatively obscure Jaina temple in Nagada, a historical capital of the Guhila rulers of Mewar. Dhaky opens by situating Nagada geographically and historically, noting its importance as a Guhila capital and highlighting nearby Hindu temples. He observes that medieval Śvetāmbara literature and epigraphic references indicate a significant Jaina presence. The article surveys the remains of the Jaina temple, reconstructing its plan and style. Dhaky notes that the temple resembles Māru‑Gurjara architecture of the 14th–15th centuries and may have been dedicated to Ṛṣabhanātha. He correlates the architectural evidence with textual references and suggests that the temple may have been constructed by merchants or local rulers who supported Jainism alongside Hinduism. The study emphasises the need for conservation and further archaeological exploration to understand the temple’s chronology and cultural significance.