KHARTRA signifies true, an epithet of dis tinction which was bestowed by Sidraj, king of Anhilwara Patan, on one of the branches (gatcha) of the Buddhist and Jain faith in a grand religious disputation (badha) at that capital in the 11th century. The celebrated Ilema chandra Acharya was head of the Khartra-gatcha ; and his spiritual descendant honoured Udaipur with his presence in his visit to his dioceses in the desert, in 1821. Colonel Tod's Yati tutor was a disciple of Ilemachandra, and his patravali, or pedigree, registered his descent by spiritual suc cessions from him. This pontiff was a man of extensive learning and of estimable character. He was versed in all the ancient inscriptions. His travelling library was in the charge of two of his disciples remarkable for talent. The letters of invitation written by his flocks in the desert were rolls, some of them several feet in length, con taining pictured delineations of their wishes. One
from Bikanir represented that city, in one division of which was the school or college of the Jain, where the Yati were all portrayed at their various studies. In another part, a procession of them was quitting the southern gate of the city, the head of which was in the act of delivering a scroll to a messenger, while the pontiff was seen with his cortege advancing in the distance. To show the respect in which these high priests of the Jain are held, the princes of Rajputana invariably advance outside the walls of their capital to receive and conduct them to it,—a mark of respect paid only to princes. On the occasion of the high priest of the Khartra passing through Udaipur, as above alluded to, the rang received him with every dis tinction.—Tod's Rajasthan, i. p. 518.