Sambodhi 2003 Vol 26

SR No.: 520776
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 184
Language: English, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Sambodhi, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 76

70
SUJATA MENON
SAMBODHI
women had the outlet in passing the time either in religious matter or pursuing education. Among Hindus during this period, the position of female widows had reached to a subservient level. There was no outlet to religious freedom and economic source of livelihood as existed among Jaina women. The factors like religious freedom and economic protection facilitated Jaina women to pursuing modern education, thereby bringing and effective change in their overall social status.
One of the distinct characteristics found in Jaina community was the ideal of service imparted through religion. According to Jainism - Dana or charity forms one of the four limbs of Dharma. Devotees out of compassion should donate money, clothing, medicine to the sick, poor, destitute or orphans24. This noble teaching existed in Hindu dharma too. However, the zeal in which the teaching, was practiced among Jaina was marvelous. The teaching was the man driving force behind conducting philanthropic activities for which Jainas were widely popular. From time immemorial, Jainas had served the people selflessly in the times of natural calamities like draught , flood, earthquakes. During the period of social reform movement in Gujarat, leading rich Jaina merchants spearheaded the philanthropic activities15. Noted philanthropists of Gujarat during this period were - Sheth Hathi Singh Kesarsingh, Sir Maganbhai Karamchand, Mr. Bechardas Laskari, Sir Mangaldas Nathubhai, Sheth Hemabhai Vakhatchand. Sheth Hathi Singh Kesarsingh hailed from Ahmedabad and was noted for philanthropic activities in the city. The first girl school started in 1849 by Gujarat Vernacular Society - an organisation known for put educational activities - which put Gujarat on the roll of developing modern education systems for females, was largely financed by Sheth Hathi Singh Kesarsingh16. After his death, his wife Harkor Shethani - first woman philanthropist of Gujarat, continued donating money to various other girls' schools set up in the district of Ahmedabad.
In 1850 another rich merchant Maganbhai Karamchand, financed two girls school the reference of which was made in Wood's Education Despatch. Following is the excerpt from Woods Education Despatch.
"Our Governor - General in Council had declared, in a communication to the government of Bengal, that the Government ought to give to the native female education in India its frank and cordial support, and in this we heartily concur and was especially approve of the bestowal of marks of honour upon such native gentlemen as Rao Bahadur Maganbhai Karamchand who donated Rs. 20,000/- to the foundation of two native females schools in Ahmedabad as by such means our