Vijnaptipatra of Udaipur
By B. L. Nahata
Summary
B. L. Nahata examines the Vijnaptipatra of Udaipur, a Svetambara Jain scroll of invitation, as a significant but understudied source of social and art history. The article argues that these scrolls, which served as detailed reports of religious activities and letters of invitation to Acaryas, represent a unique tradition in Jaina cultural heritage. Nahata traces the tradition from its earliest known examples, such as the one sent by Jinodaya Suri from Patan in V.S. 1431 (1375 A.D.) to Lokahitacarya at Ayodhya, through the 15th and 16th centuries, noting a spurt of activity in the 17th century with the adoption of verse forms like ‘duta kavya’ and the practice of illustration. The author highlights an illustrated scroll from the 17th century sent from Agra to Acarya Vijayasena Suri, which contains historical details about Emperor Jahangir and the court painter Salivahana. The 18th century saw numerous illustrative scrolls, with the Udaipur scroll being a notable example. The article provides a detailed description of the Udaipur scroll, which measures 70" x 12", noting its Marwari language, the involvement of Pandit Risabhdas and Pandit Kushalchand, and the delay in its dispatch caused by the absence of Seth Jorawarmal Bafna and Bachawat Mehta Sersingh. The scroll, carried to Bikaner by the Rana’s envoy, features signatures from leading citizens and officials. It contains four depictions of the Rana, including one with the English Resident Mr. Cuff, and richly illustrates Udaipur’s geography, polity, and society, including the Pichola Lake, palaces, markets, and religious sites, before concluding with the formal letter of invitation dated V.S. 1887.
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Conclusion
The Vijnaptipatra of Udaipur represents a significant artifact within the Svetambara Jain tradition of illustrated invitation scrolls. Its analysis reveals the tradition’s evolution from 15th-century Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts to later vernacular compositions, notably Marwari, and the subsequent integration of elaborate illustrations from the 17th century onward. The scroll’s detailed pictorial and textual records offer invaluable insights into the social, political, and religious fabric of 19th-century Mewar, documenting urban geography, administrative structures, and interfaith interactions, including the presence of British officials. Furthermore, the scroll’s collaborative nature, bearing the signatures of leading state officials and citizens, underscores its role as a formal, community-endorsed document. As a late example of this tradition, which ceased by 1860, it provides a crucial, visually rich primary source for reconstructing the cultural and historical landscape of the period.