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MODERN PERIOD. of the Jains is given elsewhere. A perusal of some of these treatises indicates that the Jains generally lived in large numbers in Mylapore, Nedumbai and "Tirumalai. In modern times the Tamil Jains are found in groups in the following places ; Chittamur and Perumandur near Tindivanam, Tirumalai, Tirunarunkondai and Tipangudi. The life and times of the last of the Acharyas, Marlhvachārya, synchronised with the Mahomedan conquest of the south, which at once arrested all literary, intellectual and religious activities and the Jairis shared with other religious sects persecution and humiliation at the hands of the idol-breakers: Referring to the condition of the Jains at the time, M. Barth observes, “It was thus able to hold on till the period of Mahomedan domination, the effect of which was to arrest the propagation of Hinduism and which, while it evidently contributed to the religious, political and social dismemberment of the nation everywhere, showed itself conservative of minorities, small associations and small churches."
The origin, development and decay of the Jains in the extreme south of India have thus far been traced with the aid of Tamil literature. A detailed account, however, of the Jains in the Tamil country, cannot be written, as records are scanty. Indeed, there is some truth in what Mr. Frazer said, “ So far, history traces' the fluctuating fortunes of the rulers, who in the early ages held the sovereign
oanty vidence.
