Image title: Number 8: Unidentified Tirthankara

This is an unidentified Tirthankara image. The Jina stands in kayotsarga pose on a double-petalled lotus placed on a tri-ratha pedestal. Upper part of the left side back-slab is partially damaged. The mula-nayaka is flanked by two male cauri-bearers standing in abhanga posture on their respective pedestals and their left hands are in katyavalambita posture and the right hands hold fly-whisks. The backslab also contains two miniature Jinas standing in kayotsarga posture on double-petalled pedestals, however, the left one is missing. It is made of black basalt and measures 44 x 23.5 x 8 cm. On stylistic consideration, the image is assignable to circa 12^th–13^th centuries CE.

Gallery information:

These photographs accompany the study on Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal based on the fields of Archaeology, Art and Iconography. Jainism represents a way of life incorporating non-violence and approaches religion from humanitarian viewpoint. Ancient Bengal represents the modern state of West Bengal and the Republic of Bangladesh, situated in the eastern part of the Indian sub-continent. Here, Jainism was allowed to flourish from the pre-Christian times up until the 10th century CE, along with Buddhism.