In the Jain community of western India, the donation of illustrated books to the monastery libraries called bhandars was glorified as a gesture of charity, righteousness and gratitude. What was this concept called?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Shaastradaan
Option (1) Pratima lakshana — Incorrect. Pratima lakshana is the art of image making, the canons of painting in the Vishnudharmottara Purana.
Option (2) Shaastradaan — Correct. The concept of shaastradaan means the donation of books to the bhandars.
Option (3) Chitrasutra — Incorrect. Chitrasutra is a chapter of the Vishnudharmottara Purana, a source book of Indian art.
Option (4) Varnikabhanga — Incorrect. Varnikabhanga is the limb of painting dealing with the use of brush and colours.
NCERT (2026-27): “Western Indian School of Painting …The merchant class, largely represented by the Jain community, led to become significant patrons of themes related to Jainism. Hence, part of the Western Indian School that depicts Jain themes and manuscripts is known as the Jain 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.” |