Sacred Landscapes of Early Medieval Jainism in Chanderi and its Surrounding Region, Madhya Pradesh, India

Prashant Goyal

The concept of sacred landscape provides an important framework for understanding the relationship

between belief systems and material culture. The Early Medieval period (ca. 8th-15th century CE) witnessed the flourishing of Jainism in the Chanderi region of present-day Ashoknagar district, Madhya Pradesh. This paper examines the sacred landscape of Jainism in Chanderi and its surrounding areas through archaeological remains, including temples, sculptures, architectural fragments, and ritual spaces. Chanderi and nearby sites such as Idor, Khandar, Guril Pahad, Budhi Chanderi, and Thubon preserve significant evidence of Jain religious activity. These sites reflect a network of sacred spaces associated with pilgrimage, monastic residence, and devotional practices. The spatial distribution of temples, sculptural remains, and hilltop shrines suggests an intentional sacred geography shaped by religious beliefs and socio-political patronage during the Early Medieval period. The study analyses architectural remains, iconographic features, and site locations to understand how Jain communities conceptualised sacred space and religious identity. Hilltops, riverine zones, and settlement margins often became focal points of religious activity, indicating a symbolic relationship between natural and built environments. The continuity of worship and local traditions at several sites further demonstrates the enduring cultural significance of Jain sacred spaces. By integrating archaeological evidence with historical and cultural perspectives, this paper highlights the role of Jain sacred landscapes in shaping regional religious identity. The study contributes to the broader understanding of faith-based landscapes in the Asia-Pacific region and demonstrates how religious traditions are embedded within the archaeological record.