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Regarding the antiquity of Jaina tradition of Tirthankaras Major J. G. R. Forlong (in his book "Short Studies in the Science of Comparative Religion') writes that from unknown times there existed in India a highly organized Jaina religion and that Jainism was preached by twenty-two Tirthankaras before the Aryans reached the Ganges. Dr. Zimmerman also strongly supports the antiquity of Jaina tradition in the following terms. "There is truth in the Jain idea that their religion goes back to remote antiqity, the antiquity in question being that of the Pre-Aryan," (vide Zimmerman : "The Philosophies of India, p. 60).
Honorary Director Sahu Research Institute Shivaji University Kolhapur.
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