________________
Jainism :
was obtained from hearsay, barbershop and bazar gossip, which they supplemented by their own fanciful and many a time, prejudiced imaginations. They could not even understand or rightly interpret many of the things such as sectarian differences etc., which they themselves. observed.
Yet, these accounts came to be regarded as the most authentic and only reliable sources for the historical reconstruction of this vast, varied and ancient subcontinent, whereas the indigenous sources and traditions, even if recorded, were considered unreliable, legendary, often fictitious or an outcome of the vagrant imagination of the oriental. Very soon, numerous ancient munuments, apti. quities, epigraphical records and new literary evidences began to come to light, which seemed to support Indian traditions and other sources. Even then the latter could be accredited only when and in so far as they were confirmed by their favourite foreigners' accounts. No wonder, therefore, that the foundations of modern Indian History have so often proved to be false and shifting, and many wrong. notions, distortions or misstatements of facts found their way into the present day history books of India.
However, even in most of these foreigners accounts beginning from the earliest times the Jainas and their religion have very often been referred to, but usually due to the difficulties of language and the understanding of the writers they were in such forms that the early orientalists handicapped by inadequate information and insufficient knowledge, could not rightly interpret them and failed to identify them with Jainism and the Jainas. Still by the second quarter of the 19th century they could not help taking notice of this religion. But unfortunately, carried away by its superficial resemblance in some
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
