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the society free from social alls They have actively participated in the freedom movement of India and have played an important role In the freld of Jaina art, Jainas have produced numerous and the finest specimens of architecture in different parts of the country They have constructed temples, temple-cities, cave temples, stupas, pillars and towers In the area of iconography the contribution of Jainas is also outstanding. Beautiful images of Tirthankaras and presiding deities carved on stone and metal have been preserved in Jaina temples and also in private collections The colossus at Sravanabelgola, set-up by the great Camundaraya in 981 A Dis world famous and has brought a distinctive cultural status to India The Ellora Jaina caves constitute a unique specimen of the configuration of northern and southern features of Jaina art Along with the Jaina monks and nuns, the role of lay-votary in Jainism has been of tremendous significance A healthy process of mutual co-operation between the Jaina ascetics and lay-votaries has been maintained since the emergence of Jainism It is to be borne in mind that if the followers of Mahavira dedicate themselves to the propagation of the Ahimsite way of life in socioeconomic sphere, an all-round progress can be effected at the pational and international levels
We are grateful to the learned scholars who have contributed their articles to this book We express our gratitude to the Members of the Advisory Board and the Board of Editors, who helped us in getting this book ready for publication Our thanks are due to Dr GC Patni, Shri Gyan Chandra Khuduka and Sushri Priti Jain for assisting us in the press work We also record our thanks both to the Journal Press and Kapur Printers of Jaipur for its printing and timely completion
Satish Kumar Jain
Chief Editor
Dr Kamal Chand Soganı
Executive Editor