Under shaastradaan, donating illustrated paintings was glorified in the Jain community. What were the monastery libraries called to which these paintings were donated?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Bhandars
Option (1) Bhandars — Correct. The monastery’s libraries, or repositories, were called bhandars.
Option (2) Patlis — Incorrect. Patlis were the wooden covers placed on top and bottom of a palm leaf manuscript.
Option (3) Tirthipatas — Incorrect. Tirthipatas were works painted for the Jain community besides the canonical texts, not libraries.
Option (4) Mandalas — Incorrect. Mandalas too were painted for the Jain community; they were not libraries.
NCERT (2026-27): “Western Indian School of Painting …Jain painting also received impetus because the concept of shaastradaan (donation of books) gained favour amidst the community, where the act of donating illustrated paintings to the monastery’s libraries called bhandars (repositories) was glorified as a gesture of charity, righteousness and gratitude.” “Western Indian School of Painting …Over and above these canonical texts, Tirthipatas, Mandalas and secular, non-canonical stories were also painted for the Jain community.” |