SSC
Which ruler of Gujarat accepted Jainism under the influence of the Jain scholar Hemachandra?
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Answer: Option D — Kumarapala of the Chalukya (Solanki) dynasty
Detailed Solution
Kumarapala, a ruler of the Chalukya (Chaulukya or Solanki) dynasty of Gujarat, accepted Jainism under the influence of the Jain scholar Acharya Hemachandra, in the 12th century.
About Kumarapala:
- He ruled from about 1143 to 1172 CE.
- He succeeded Jayasimha Siddharaja, the great Chalukya king of Gujarat.
- Under the influence of Hemachandra, he became a follower of Jainism, though he also continued to respect Shiva.
- He banned the killing of animals in his kingdom, and prohibited gambling and the drinking of alcohol, according to Jain sources.
- He built many Jain temples, including the Ajitanatha temple at Taranga hill and temples at Girnar and Palitana, according to tradition.
- He also restored the Somnath temple.
About Hemachandra:
- He was born in 1088 CE at Dhandhuka (Gujarat) and died in 1173 CE.
- He was a great Jain monk, scholar and writer, known as "Kalikala Sarvajna" ("all-knowing one of the Kali age").
- He wrote on grammar, poetry, lexicography (dictionaries), logic, philosophy and history.
His works include "Siddha-Hema-Shabdanushasana" (a grammar of Sanskrit and Prakrit, named after Jayasimha Siddharaja and himself), "Trishashti-shalaka-purusha-charitra" (lives of 63 great persons of Jainism), "Kumarapalacharita" and "Yogashastra".
He was a guide and adviser to both Jayasimha Siddharaja and Kumarapala.
About the Chalukyas (Solankis) of Gujarat:
- They ruled Gujarat from the 10th to the 13th centuries, with their capital at Anahilapataka (Anahilwad Patan).
- The dynasty was founded by Mularaja I.
- They were great builders and patrons of art and culture.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Bhoja was a Paramara king of Malwa.
- ✗Jayasimha Siddharaja was Kumarapala's predecessor.
- ✗Mularaja founded the Chaulukya dynasty, before Hemachandra's time.
Quick tip
Remember: Kumarapala (Chalukya/Solanki of Gujarat) became a Jain under Hemachandra ("Kalikala Sarvajna"); capital = Anahilapataka (Patan).
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Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India from about the 7th to the 12th century: the Rajput dynasties, the tripartite struggle between the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas, and the South Indian kingdoms of the Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas, along with the Sangam age and the temple architecture of the period. Questions often ask which dynasty built a temple (the Pallavas built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, and Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur), the capitals of dynasties, and the local self-government of the Cholas. Learning each dynasty with its capital, greatest ruler and one monument is the quickest way to answer these questions. Practise the early medieval India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.