27. Jain History | Siddhachal Caves And Gopachal Rock Cut Monuments (Gwalior)

Hundreds of Jain idols in Siddhachal caves and Gopachal rock cut monuments (Gwalior) were destroyed by the Islamic invaders. Most of the Jain idols had been chiseled during the 15th century, though few date back to the 7th century AD. The idols carved during the 15th century were built during the reign of Tomar King Dungar Singh and his son Kirti Singh. The Tomar Queen was either a Jain or was a great follower of Jainism. There are around 1,500 idols of Jain Tirthankar’s in Gopachal rock cut monuments and almost 31 Jain temples in Siddhachal caves. The Gopachal rock cut monuments are dated earlier than the Siddhachal caves. The inscriptions found near the monuments credit them to Tomar kings ranging from 1440 to 1453 AD. Both these monuments were defaced and desecrated around 1527 when Babur (Mughal Emperor) ordered their destruction.