History of Jaina Monachism

SR No.: 001727
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 616
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & History
File Size: 12 MB

Page 140

HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
135 shops, etc., were attached to various Jaina establishments, which possibly prepared the ground for corruption.465 Jainism under the Muslims :
The ebbing tide of the Jaina influence was further weakened by the ever encroaching waves of Muslim aggression. The glory of Madurā was laid down bare and looted by Malik Kafur, general of Allāuddin Khalji. Later on with the complete liquidation of the Vijayanagar Empire, religious toleration had no meaning, and with the advent of the Imperial dynasties of Muslims at Delhi, all indigenous religions including Jainism had to face a creed far more aggressive in spirit, policy, and execution.
That even among such rulers Jainism could get a few supporters speaks highly of the calibre of Jaina monks.466 Muhammad Ghori, for instance, is said to have invited and honoured a Digambara monk at the request of his Begum.467 Allāuddin Khalji is said to have honoured an able Digambara ācārya who went all the way from the South to North India to explain Jaina tenets to the king.468 The same king is also said to have honoured a certain Svetāmbara Ramachandra Sūri.469
Other instances of Muslim liberality were those of Firuz Tughlaq who honoured a Svetāmbara monk Ratnasekhara, 470 and that of Muhammad Tughlaq who received the Digambara monk Simhakīrti.471 Among the rulers of the Sur dynasty, we have Sikandar Sür who honoured Viśālakirti, a Digambara monk, who had come all the way from South India.472
It was, however, in the reign of Akbar that we have somewhat more information about the contact of the Jainas with the Muslims. Epigraphical evidence shows that a Svetāmbara Acārya Hīravijaya had a great influence over Akbar, due to which the latter prohibited animal slaughter near Jaina holy places, freed these places from taxes, and gave the ācārya a title of Jagadguru.473 Besides him, Akbar is said to have come in contact with other Jaina ācāryas called Jinacandra,474 Bhānucandra475 and Siddhicandra.476
465. E.V., iv, Krşhạ., No. 3. 466. GLASENAPP., op. cit., pp. 68-69. 467. Ibid. 468.JSB., i. 4, p. 109 469. GLASENAPP, op. cit., p. 66. 470. Ibid. 471. Car. Hist. Rev., iv, p. 85. 472. Ibid., pp. 78-81.
473. NAHAR, Prāchina Jaina Lekha Sangraha, Vol. i, 750, 826, 856, 980; ii, 1628, 1794, 1796; Inscri, of Käth, 107.
474. E.I., ii, pp. 61-64; NAHAR, op. cit., i, 771, 786; ii, 1196; iii, 2592. 475. I.H.Q. 1933, March, pp. 137-40.
476. CHITRAO, op. cit., p. 809.