________________
FOREWORD
Thiru S. SRIPAL, I.P.S.,
(INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, TAMILNADU)
CHAIRMAN,
RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR JAINOLOGY, 18, RAMANUJA IYER STREET, SOWCARPET, MADRAS
600 079.
1
This magnum opus, "Jaina Inscriptions in TamilnaduA Topographical list", indefatigably and meticulously compiled by Dr. A. Ekambaranathan and Dr. C. K. Sivaprakasam, is a long awaited boon for research scholars. To get information about the history of Jaina thought in Tamilnadu, its influence and its contribution in various fields of human activity, one had to wade through palm-leaf manuscripts, old editions of literary works and epigraphical reports now not reprinted, oral lectures from erudite scholars, visits to monuments - dilapidated and under worshipcontaining inscriptions, icons and paintings. Compilation of such information in one volume removes to a great extent this difficulty. This volume will satiate every research minded person in his search for truth. The history of Jainism in Tamilnadu has not received due treatment in the past, and I feel that this volume is the first step taken in the right direction, and association of the Research Foundation for Jainology with this huge task is but logical.
Inscriptions on open rocks, rock-cut beds and walls of temples; sculptures carved on boulders, paintings etc., depicting the
V
