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dians of such collections, had inherited the traditions of their forefathers, viz., those of not suffering any part of such collection to see the rays of the Sun, lest they might be deprived of them, and the works most dear to them be destroyed by the assailants. It is very strange indeed that these traditions are alive even at this day when there is peace all round, and when the time is most propitious for the development of literature. Fire even has contributed its quota to the destruction of the records. Add to these the all round degeneration among the followers of the faith, when far from the prospects of further expansion, the faith was in imminent danger of being extinct. It was during this time that more attention was paid to the performance of external rites and ceremonies, and practically nothing was done in the direction of education and literature and the stirring up of the inner spirit of faith. It is only very recently that a practical revival of a salutary character is visible. Owing to circuinstances above mentioned, the literary results of the arduous labour and the great learning of the Acharyas and the Sadhus of the faith, could not be made accessible.
It may perhaps not be out of place here to give in short history of the fund that has led to the publication of the series. The late Sheth Derchand Lalbhai, in whose memory this fund has been inaugurated, left by his will a sum of Rs. 45,000 along with
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