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106 Jaina Religion: Its Historical Journey of Evolution
On the one hand iconoclastic activities of Muslim rulers and their increasing influence in this country and on the other hand natural simplicity of Islam, which was free from the burden of rituals, influenced Hindu and Jaina mind set. This can be taken to a certain extent as the cause of the origin of the sects which disapproved idol-worship in Jaina religion. Lokāśāha was born around V.S. 1475. Though Muslims were not able to establish their rule in the whole country till this period, in many parts of the country Muslim rulers did establish their authority. Gujarat also did not escape this influence. The other characteristic feature of this period was that Muslim rulers had started dreaming about the spread of their sovereign powers over the entire country. But for this, it was necessary for them to take their Hindu subjects along with them. Thus Muhammad Tuglak, Babar, Humayun etc. started employing Hindus in their administrative services, with a view to spread, preach and promote Islam. Thus, Hindu feudal lords and administrative employees came in contact with the rulers. With the result, they were able to see the better side of Islam, which was free from rituals, casteism, and full of brotherhood, which compelled them to think that if Hindu religion or Jaina religion was to be saved it was necessary to liberate it from ritualistic practices. As
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