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FOREWORD.
Buddhism and Jainism almost started together in about the 6th. Century B. C. In fact, tradition. asserts that the latter has a much greater antiquity. Not only has it a hoary past, but it has survived the onslaughts of rival faiths, foreign and indigenous. And Jainism to-day is a living religion, having had its followers in different parts of India.
Inspite of a long and continuous history, it has not received that attention at the hands of scholars that it deserves. Over 30 years ago that far-sighted scholar, Rev. H. Heras, S. J., Director of the Indian Historical Research Institute, St. Xavier's College, Bombay, inspired some of his pupils to prepare a detailed and connected account of the vicissitudes through which Jainism had to pass before the advent of Islam in the north and south respectively. Thus Shri C. J. Shah published the first monograph on Jainism in North India. Later Dr. B. A. Saletore wrote on Mediaeval Jainism. This deals with the history of the religion in Karnatak
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
