This impressive scroll painting is at once a lengthy letter of invitation and a promotional banner. Such scrolls were routinely sent by a community to invite Jain monks to spend the rainy season at their town or village. To attract the most distinguished holy men, the pictures advertised major attractions that a town had to offer and highlighted the pious nature of its community. This scroll from Sirohi, an important centre of Jainism even today, includes pictures of rulers and royal processions, scenes of worship at important shrines and illustrations of commerce at the town’s bazaars.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2006.