Patan - The Ancient Capital of Gujarat



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Patan - The Ancient Capital of Gujarat Patan - The Ancient Capital of Gujarat
Patan - The Ancient Capital of Gujarat Patan - The Ancient Capital of Gujarat
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PATAN. During the golden period of Solanki dynasty's rule this capital city of Patan once upon a time competed with Dharanagari and Avanti, the cities of Shree, Sarasvati and Sanskarlakshmi (wealth, knowledge and culture) in those days by its own vast area, wealth, beauty and prosperity, bravery and knowledge. It was known as such all over India for an these characteristics. Situated on the banks of River Sarasvati at one time this metropolis was the capital of Gujarat. From 746 AD in the time of Vanraj Chavda down to the time of the last scion of Chavda dynasty, Raja Samantsinh Chavda, and then until the Solanki or Rajput era was over, while the capital was shifted for some time, but once again the city of Patan regained this pride of place soon enough, and in actual terms remained the capital city of Gujarat all those centuries.

Patan became the first capital of this region after it came to be known as 'Gujarat.' After its foundation being laid in about 14th century, for nearly 650 years Patan retained its capital status almost constantly. Besides, it also became the center of culture. We find that there are a large number of Maths and Pathshalas on the border of Sahasralinga Lake. During the rule of Bhimdev I, Karnadev, Siddharaj and Kumarpal, it was at the apex of its glory. At that time Patan measured upto 30 km in its size, had 84 'chauta' and 84 'chowk'.It had a very large population as well.

The legend has it that Vanraj Chavda who was the founder of Gujarat's empire, had a shepherd friend from his younger days, and after him he named the capital as Anahilpur Patan. According to the traditional story, Vanraj Chavda laid the foundation of this cit~ at the place pointed out by Anahil, the shepherd, in V.S. 802 (AD 746, March 28 ). The young Vanraj had been in the care of his mother Rupsundari and maternal uncle Surpal after his father Raja laishikhari was killed in battle against Raja Bhuvad of Kalyan. Vanaraj surrounded himself by young braves and then laid the foundation of his capital Patan. From the rule of Vanraj Chavda the history of Rajput rule in Gujarat takes off. Even today we can see the image of Parasnath that was brought from Panchasar and installed in the Panchasara Parasnath Derasar (Jain temple) at Patan in his time. In one of its niches we see an old image of Vanraj himself. The golden age of Gujarat was achieved under the rule of Sidhhraj laisinh. We find great descriptions of this large metropolitan city of Patan in many books of the time that sing the praises of its beauty and prosperity as the capital of a wealthy empIre.

Patan during the Solanki period was full of numerous large mansions, temples and other architectural beauties. Today we can see some of their ruins. Recently the excavations have revealed the 'Rani ki Vav' that is a most amazing and beautiful structure, fullofwonderful architecture and sculpture. Builtby the Queen Udaymati, the wife of Bhimdev, it is the best example of such architecture for water wells that is peculiar to Gujarat. There are wonderful carved images in the niches of the walls of this multi-storied step-well. Besides this, we find many beautiful lain temples in Patan. Also, there are a large members of ancient manuscripts in these temples & private libraries also have many manuscript copies preseaved overtime. By the efforts of Mr. K. M. Munshi, a Hemchadra Memorial Center has come up here to look after this unusual and one of the most valuable treasures of India.

Patan has been made into a new District, with the city as its Headquarters. The world famous industry of weaving of 'patola' saris that flourished at one time here is about to be extinct, for only one family is keeping this art as a profession today. The other Sanskrit scholars that may have written many learned works when they taught and studied in the Sanskrit Pathshala next to Sahasralinga Lake, for we cannot find the works nor have we any memories of the scholars. The lain ascetics, besides the famous Hemchandra, such as Ranchandra, Gunachandra and many others knew the religious tenets deeply, and were commanding literary personalities as well. Their memories have been preserved in the works found in the libraries maintained at Patan. After Allauddin Khilji ransacked Patan, Ahmed Shah changed the capital and founded the new capital of Ahmedabad on the banks of River Sabarmati. This heralded the end of the importance and great glory that was Patan

A 'Shobha Yatra' of the first Gujarati Grammar ' Siddha Hem'


Patan was not merely the political center for management of the empire of the Gujarati kings. It was also a great center of learning and arts and culture in those days. We can say that the unique characteristics of Gujarati culture and arts originated here. Just as Siddharaj Jaisinh has contributed to the political aura of Gujarat, Hemchandracharya, the great Jain ascetic"'and scholar has contributed to Gujarat in the most basic manner. His treatise on Gujarati Grammar, 'Siddha Hem' commemorates both of them together, for they were contemporaries. It provided to Gujarati the Grammar it needed as Panini had provided the Grammar for Sanskrit so many centuries ago. The treatise "Siddha Hem', when completed, was taken out in an honorable round of the capital city of Patan on the back of a decorated elephant in a 'Shobha Yatra' procession. Hemachandracharya .and Siddharaj Jaisinh took the lead in the 'yatra' in the lanes of the capital and thus duly honored culture and virtuous occupations.

SAHASRALINGA LAKE


Built during the reign of Siddharaj laisinh, we can gauge the greatness and beauty of Sahasralinga Lake from the various descriptions we come across in many works of the period. These descriptions raise our eyebrows in wonder at its grandeur. Built on all sides with great walls, this huge lake had 1000 small temples of Lord Shiva surrounding it, and hence the name. The excavations have revealed an absolutely unique underground system of getting water from the Sarasvati into the lake, and it is a wonder in itself. The round stoned stmctures on the surrounding walls that were full of beautiful sculptures are as strong as ever even today.

The 'Gyanbhandars' of Patan<\b>

The Libraries or 'Gyanbhandars' of Patan must have special mention. We find here rare books written 800 to 1000 years ago in these libraries. These have been preserved in a large number here. WE find the handwritten manuscripts on Tadpatra, Bhojpatra and cloth in these collections. Certain MS are decorated with wonderful pictures. Some of them have gold and silver used in the colors too. Besides, we also find some of the samples of making these colors. The major content of the books here is Religious literature. Besides this we also get books on subjects of poetry, drama, Vedant, Ayurveda and Astrology, History and the Puranas. The ascetic scholars like Munishri Jinvijayji and Munishri Punyavijayji and other research scholars have taken infinite pains and decoded the scripts of these treatises. There are 11 such huge collections. We find in nearly all of them many creations that are not connected with Jain Philosophy and religion too.



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