https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Osian%2C_RajasthanOsian, Rajasthan - Revision history2026-11-03T16:15:15ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osian,_Rajasthan&diff=523197&oldid=prevVanBoas1588: started a details.2025-10-05T13:37:19Z<p>started a details.</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Other uses|Osian (disambiguation)}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}<br />
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->{{Infobox settlement<br />
| name = Osian<br />
| other_name = Uvasisala, Ukesa and Upkesapur-pattana<br />
| settlement_type = [[Town]]<br />
| image_skyline = Osiyan1 photo wiki.jpg<br />
| image_alt = <br />
| image_caption = [[Sachiya Mata Temple]], Osian<br />
| image_map = {{mapframe|frame=yes|type=point|{{Coord||}}|text=|zoom=SWITCH:5,7,11|switch=zoomed out, zoomed mid, zoomed in}}<br />
| map_caption = <br />
| nickname = [[Bhubaneswar]] of [[Rajasthan]]<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|26.7167|N|72.9167|E|display=inline,title}}<br />
| subdivision_type = Country<br />
| subdivision_name = India<br />
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]<br />
| subdivision_name1 = [[Rajasthan]]<br />
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]<br />
| subdivision_name2 = [[Jodhpur district|Jodhpur]]<br />
| subdivision_type3 = [[Tehsil]]<br />
| subdivision_name3 = [[Osian tehsil|Osian]]<br />
| established_title = <!-- Established --><br />
| established_date = <br />
| founder = <br />
| named_for = <br />
| government_type = <br />
| governing_body = <br />
| unit_pref = Metric<br />
| area_footnotes = <ref name="Census2011"/><br />
| area_rank = 1<br />
| area_total_km2 = 10.4306<br />
| elevation_footnotes = <br />
| elevation_m = 323<br />
| population_total = 12548<br />
| population_as_of = 2011<br />
| population_rank = <br />
| population_density_km2 = <br />
| population_demonym = <br />
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census2011">[http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0815_PART_B_DCHB_JODHPUR.pdf Jodhpur District Census Handbook], page 204</ref><br />
| demographics_type1 = Languages<br />
| demographics1_title1 = Official<br />
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]<br />
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]<br />
| utc_offset1 = +5:30<br />
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]<br />
| postal_code = 342303<br />
| area_code_type = Telephone code<br />
| area_code = +91-2922<br />
| registration_plate = RJ-19<br />
| website = <br />
| footnotes = <br />
| official_name = <br />
}}<br />
'''Osian''' (also spelt Osiyan) is an ancient town located in the [[Jodhpur District]] of [[Rajasthan]] state in western [[India]]. It is an oasis in the [[Thar Desert]]. The town is a [[panchayat village]]<ref>2011 Village Panchayat Code for Osian = 35850, {{Cite web|title=Reports of National Panchayat Directory: Village Panchayat Names of Osian, Jodhpur, Rajasthan|publisher=Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India|url=http://panchayatdirectory.gov.in/adminreps/viewpansumSQL.asp?selstate=727&parenttype=B&ptype=V|access-date=14 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514044736/http://panchayatdirectory.gov.in/adminreps/viewpansumSQL.asp?selstate=727&parenttype=B&ptype=V|archive-date=14 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Where is Osian, Rajasthan, India on Map Lat Long Coordinates |url=https://www.latlong.net/place/osian-rajasthan-india-18727.html |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=www.latlong.net}}</ref> and the headquarters for [[Osian tehsil]]. It lies {{convert|69|km|mi|abbr=on}} by road north of the district headquarters at [[Jodhpur]], on a diversion off the main Jodhpur &ndash; [[Bikaner]] Highway. The under-construction [[Amritsar Jamnagar Expressway]] passes through this town.<br />
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Osian is famous as home to the cluster of ruined Hindu and [[Jain]] temples dating from the 8th to 12th century AD. The city was a major religious centre of the kingdom of [[Marwar]] during the [[Gurjara Pratihara]] dynasty.<ref name="Gurjar Pratihar2">{{cite book|title=The art under the Gurjara-Pratihāras|author=Brajesh Krishna|publisher = Harman Pub. House|year=1990|isbn=978-81-85151-16-8|page=45|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PMmfAAAAMAAJ&q=osian+gurjara}}</ref> Of the 18 shrines in the group, the [[Surya]] Temple, [[Sachiya Mata Temple]], Katan Bawari and the Jain temple dedicated to [[Mahavira]] stands out in their grace and architecture.<br />
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The town was a major trading center at least as early as the [[Gupta period]]. It maintained this status, while also being a major center of Hinduism and Jainism for hundreds of year. This came to an abrupt end when the town was attacked by the armies of Muhammed of Ghor in 1195.<ref>{{Cite web |last=sinha |first=manoshi |date=2017-06-29 |title=Osian: 8th Century Architectural Lotus Blooming in the Desert! |url=https://www.myindiamyglory.com/2017/06/29/osian-8th-century-temples/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=myIndiamyGlory |language=en-GB}}</ref><br />
Osian is a famous tourist destination.<br />
<br />
==History==<br />
[[File:Kilometre sign Osiyan.jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Milestone|Kilometre sign]]]]<br />
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Evidence suggests that Osian is a very old settlement. Some of its early names include Uvasisala, Ukesa and Upkesapur-pattana. In its early history, the village was a center for [[Brahmanism]]. It was a major stop for camel caravans during the [[Gupta period]].<ref>*{{cite book |title=India: The Peacock's Call |last=Dobbie |first=Aline |year=2002 |page=43 |publisher=Aline Dobbie's India books |isbn=9781843940104 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nk72ebIB1iEC&q=Osian%2C+Jodhpur&pg=PA41 |access-date=7 February 2015}}</ref> The town was an important center for the [[ Pratihar| Pratihar dynasty]]. Tradition states that, after being abandoned for a time, the village was re-established by Utpaladeva (c. 900-950). Utpaladeva converted to Jainism, and turned the village into a center for the religion. However, Jainism had a presence in the village long before that. The town was prosperous and successful at this time. At its peak, it had over three hundred Jain temples.<ref>Kalia, p.1</ref><br />
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[[Muhammad of Ghor]] and his Turkish and Muslim armies attacked the town in 1195. The people of the city fled during these attacks. Most of the city, and most of its temples, were destroyed. After this attack, the residents did not return, and the city became deserted.<ref>Kalia, p.2</ref><br />
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The Jain Harivamsa Purana refers to [[Vatsaraja]]'s rule in [[Saka]] year 705 (A.D. 783). It is believed that he was highly influential in Upakesapura (Osian), as inscriptions of [[Vikram Samvat]] dating back to 1013 (A.D. 956), and referring to this place, have been found.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}<br />
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==Religion==<br />
{{Main|Mahavira Jain temple, Osian}} {{Main|Sachiya Mata Temple}}<br />
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[[File:Osian_17-70.jpg|thumb|Shikhar of Mahaviraji temple, Osian]]<br />
[[File:Osiya-temple and Architecture 08.jpg|thumb|Goddess Osian Idol]]<br />
It is believed from several pieces of evidence that the people of ''Osian'' become Jain by [[Ratnaprabhasuri|Acharya Ratnaprabhasuri]], who had impressed the populace of the region with his supernatural powers.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Dodhia |first=Rati |title=Rise and Glory History of Halari Visa Oshwals |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/007575/45 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=jainqq.org}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Baya |first=D S |title=Oswals and Other Jains of Rajasthan |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/250235/2 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=jainqq.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sangve |first=Vilas |title=Jaina Community, a Social Survey |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/007019/110 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=jainqq.org}}</ref><br />
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The Mahavira Temple is an important [[Tirtha (Jainism)|tirtha]] for [[Jainism|Jains]]. According to an inscription found at [[Sachiya Mata Temple]] dating back to 956 A.D., it was built during the [[Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty]] by King Vatsaraja in 783 AD,{{sfn|Kalia|1982|p=2}}{{sfn|Panikar|2010|p=309}}{{sfn|Bose|2015|p=148}} making it the oldest surviving Jain temple in Western India.{{sfn|Cort|1998|p=112}} According to Jain legends, [[Ratnaprabhasuri|Acharya Ratnaprabhasuri]] in ({{circa|457}} BCE) restored the life of son of a prominent brahman following this even the villagers converted to Jainism and this place for origination of [[Oswal]] community.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=149}}{{sfn|Hassan|1989|p=260}} Witnessing the power of [[Ratnaprabhasuri]] Goddess [[Chamunda]] was compelled to become a Jain vegetarian deity{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=149}}{{sfn|Babb|2015|p=123}} and became the protector deity of the temple, protecting devotees who worship image of Mahavira in the temple.{{sfn|Babb|2004|p=169}} [[Ratnaprabhasuri]] then named her [[Sachiya Mata]] as she truthfully advised [[Ratnaprabhasuri]] to stay in Osian during [[Chaturmas]].{{sfn|Qvarnström|2010|p=42}}<br />
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Osian is an important Jain pilgrimage center for the Maheshwari and Oswal Jain communities. The ([[Mahavira]], महावीर) Temple, built here in A.D. 783, is an important [[Tirtha (Jainism)|tirtha]] for [[Jainism|Jains]] built by [[Gurjara Pratihara]] King [[Vatsaraja]].<ref name="Gurjar Pratihar2"/><br />
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The [[Sachiya Mata Temple]] also equally old and important situated on a hill north-east of [[Mahavira]] Temple, enable us some clues to understand the social history of that period. This Temple was built by Utpaldev who is the brother of Raja Punj the son of King 'Bheemsain' (king of [[Bhinmal]]). This has many decorative features of a Jain temple and its construction can be attributed to Jains. Jains worship this deity as a ''samyaktvi'' ({{Translation|one who has [[Ratnatraya]]}}) goddess and as protector of the land, of their clan of [[Oswal|Oswals]] and of the [[Mahavira Jain temple, Osian]].<br />
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The [[Shingavi]], Baid, Bafna, Lunawat, Tated, Parekh, Karnavat and many other clans of Jain community conduct their 'Mundan-Sanskar' in [[Sachiya Mata Temple]].<br />
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==Demographics==<br />
In the 2011 India census, Osian reported 12,548 inhabitants, 6,572 of whom were male and 5,976 of female, which gave a gender ratio of 909 females per thousand males.<ref name="Census2011"/><br />
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== Transport ==<br />
The nearest airport is at [[Jodhpur Airport]]. State Highway 61 passes through Osian. [[Osiyan railway station]] is on the [[Jodhpur–Jaisalmer line]] of [[North Western Railway]].<br />
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==Gallery==<br />
{{multiple images<br />
| border = infobox<br />
| total_width = 290<br />
| image_style = <br />
| perrow = 1/2/2/1/1<br />
| align = right<br />
| width = 200<br />
| image1 = Osian Monuments.JPG<br />
| caption1 = Monument at Osian<br />
| image2 = Osiya-temple & architecture 06.jpg<br />
| caption2 = Parshvanath statue<br />
| image3 = Osian 17-70.jpg<br />
| caption3 = Shikhar of [[Mahavira Jain temple, Osian]]<br />
| image4 = Osian 17-69.jpg<br />
| caption4 = Top of Jain Temple<br />
| image5 = Osiya-temple & architecture 23.jpg<br />
| caption5 = Jain Temple in Osian<br />
| image6 = Osian 17-63.jpg<br />
| caption6 = Carving on the walls of Osian Jain temple<br />
| image7 = Osian 16-06.jpg<br />
| caption7 = Harihara temple<br />
| image8 = Osiya-temple & architecture 25.jpg<br />
| caption8 = Elephant Carving on wall<br />
| image9 = Osiya-temple and Architecture 12.jpg<br />
| caption9 = Osiya temple and Architecture<br />
| image10 = Osiya-temple and Architecture 23.jpg<br />
| caption10 = Inside the main temple<br />
| image11 = Osiya-temple and Architecture 48.jpg<br />
| caption11 = Sculpture inside the temple<br />
| image12 = KITLV 88217 - Unknown - Jaina temple Osia in British India - 1897.tif<br />
| caption12 = Jain temple in Osian, 1897<br />
}}<br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Oswal]]<br />
* [[Bhinmal]]<br />
* [[Mandore]]<br />
* [[Swayamprabhasuri]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Commons category|Osian, Rajasthan}}<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==Sources==<br />
* {{cite book| last=Babb | first=Lawrence A. |url={{Google books|IsmGAwAAQBAJ|page=169|plainurl=yes}} |title=Alchemies of Violence: Myths of Identity and the Life of Trade in Western India | publisher=[[SAGE Publishing]] | location=[[New Delhi]] | date=10 August 2004 | isbn=9788132103219 }} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Babb | first=Lawrence A. |url={{Google books|6VtwDwAAQBAJ|pg=PT123|plainurl=yes}} |title=Understanding Jainism | publisher=[[Dunedin Academic Press]] | series=Understanding Faith | date=28 May 2015 | isbn=9781780465357 }} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Bose | first=Melia Belli |url={{Google books|6dR0CgAAQBAJ|page=148|plainurl=yes}} |title=Royal Umbrellas of Stone: Memory, Politics, and Public Identity in Rajput Funerary Art | series=Brill's Indological Library | publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] | location=[[New Delhi]] | date=25 August 2015 | isbn=9789004300569 }} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Cort | first=John E. | authorlink=John E. Cort |url={{Google books|WWfnXbVWjKcC|plainurl=yes}} |title=Open Boundaries: Jain Communities and Cultures in Indian History |date=1998|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|isbn=9780791437865 }}<br />
* {{cite book |last=Dundas |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Dundas |title=The Jains |url={{Google books|tNabNG3jAi4C|page=149|plainurl=yes}} |edition=Second |date=2002 |orig-year=1992 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-26605-5 |location=London and New York }}<br />
* {{cite book|last1=Hassan | first1=Syed Siraj ul |title=The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions | volume=1 | url={{Google books|lYSd-3yL9h0C|page=260|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Asian Educational Services]] | year=1989 |isbn=9788120604889 }}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Art of Osian Temples: Socio-economic and Religious Life in India, 8th-12th Centuries A.D. |last=Kalia |first=Asha |year=1982 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=9780391025585 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3n-sycLo3XQC&q=Osian%2C+Jodhpur&pg=PA10 |access-date=7 February 2015}}<br />
* {{cite book|last=Panikar|first=Agustin|url={{Google books|oCPtDwAAQBAJ|page=309|plainurl=yes}} |title=Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice | volume=24 | series=Lala Sunder Lal Jain research series |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] | location=[[Delhi]] |date=2010|isbn=978-81-208-3460-6}}<br />
* {{cite book|last=Qvarnström|first=Olle|url={{Google books|5_EdL2FtIqQC|page=42|plainurl=yes}} |title=Jainism and Early Buddhism: Essays in Honor of Padmanabh S. Jaini |publisher=Jain Publishing Company | issue=1 | year=2010|isbn=978-0-89581-956-7 }}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* {{Cite web|title=Photograph: Maha-Maru - Harihara temple 1 - Garbhagrha, north jangha detail Osian, temple |publisher=American Institute for Indian Studies|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/aiis/aiis_search.html?depth=Get+Details&id=59436|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110125001/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/aiis/aiis_search.html?depth=Get+Details&id=59436|archive-date=10 November 2014|url-status=live}}<br />
{{Jodhpur district}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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[[Category:Jain temples in Rajasthan]]<br />
[[Category:Cities and towns in Jodhpur district]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Jodhpur district]]</div>VanBoas1588