Previous Year Question
The great Jain Scholar Hemachandra adorned the court of
Amoghavarsha
Kumarapala
Jayasimha Siddharaja
Vidyadhara
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Kumarapala.
Acharya Hemachandra was a celebrated 12th-century Jain scholar, grammarian, poet and polymath. He was associated with the rulers of the Chaulukya or Solanki dynasty of Gujarat.
Hemachandra also received royal patronage during the reign of Jayasimha Siddharaja. Jayasimha honoured this celebrated Jain Acharya, and at his request Hemachandra undertook important work on grammar known as the Siddha-Hema-Shabdanushasana.
However, after the death of Jayasimha, Hemachandra became even more closely associated with his successor, Kumarapala. Historical accounts portray Hemachandra as an extremely influential scholar at Kumarapala's royal court. Material available through IGNCA describes him as holding a position of influence at the royal durbar almost comparable to that of a minister.
Hemachandra composed the Yogashastra at the request of Kumarapala. His famous Dvyashraya Kavya/Kumarapala-charita is also closely connected with Chaulukya history and Kumarapala. Jain tradition particularly records Hemachandra's religious and ethical influence on Kumarapala.
It is useful to note that Hemachandra was associated with both Jayasimha Siddharaja and Kumarapala. This can create confusion between options (b) and (c).