NCERT Class 12 Art & Culture — Chapter 1: The Manuscript Painting Tradition

The correct option is King Gardabhilla, who abducted his sister.

Explanation

The Kalakacharyakatha (The Story of the Teacher Kalaka) is a significant narrative in the Jain tradition, particularly within the Shvetambara sect. It is often recited during the festival of Paryushana and serves as a semi-historical account blending religious instruction with political history.

Detailed Analysis:
The central narrative focuses on the Jain monk Kalaka (Kalakacharya). According to the text:

• The Conflict: King Gardabhilla of Ujjain, a powerful local ruler, abducted the monk's sister, the nun Sarasvati, against her will.
• The Revenge: Unable to secure justice locally, Kalaka traveled to the lands of the Shakas (Scythians) in the region of the Indus. He persuaded the Shaka kings (referred to as Sahis) to invade Ujjain.
• The Outcome: The Shaka army defeated King Gardabhilla, and Kalaka successfully rescued his sister and avenged the insult to the Jain order.

Key Takeaway:
The Kalakacharyakatha is historically significant as it preserves the tradition of the Shaka invasion of Western India and the overthrow of the Gardabhilla dynasty of Ujjain at the instigation of a Jain monk.