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(vi)
historical character was somewhat polluted later on but this does not mean that the kernel of truth in them would be rejected outrightly. They need to be carefully examined and utilised in the reconstruction of early history of India. It is somewhat surprising that their evidence has been unhesitatingly utilised in the reconstruction of cultural history of India but the dynastic accounts in them which are of immense historical value have not been given their due importance. Had they been properly scrutinised they would had thrown sufficient light on the early expansion and settlements of the Aryans particularly in the lower Gangetic valley and the regions adjoining Hiamalayana foot-hills. A few have made attempts in this direction of whom Pargiter is the first and foremost but his reconstruction is full of errors and presents a misconceived picture. The evidence of the Puranas indicate that there was an Aryan settlement in the abovementioned region at a very early time.
In the reconstruction of the early history of Śramaņa tradition, particularly of Jainism, the evidence related to the Vratyas has not been taken into account. The texture of the Vratya culture complex appears to have variegated fabric and there are indications that some of them had Sramanic connections.
In the present work an humble attempt has been made to review the early history of Jainism not only in the light of fresh interpretations of the known facts but, also in the light of new facts and their interpretations. The work deals with the history of Jainsim from its beginning to the time of the schism of the Jain Order into Digambara and Svetāmbara sects.
