Tulsi Prajna 2005 01

SR No.: 524622
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shanta Jain, Jagatram Bhattacharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 110
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 5 MB

Page 89

applicable to the Jainas. Hence it is most probable that the people whom earlier Mohamedan invaders first encountered were Jainas and they treated each other with a compromising spirit.
It was the nudity of the Jaina saints, whom Suleman found in a good number in Indiało which specially attracted the attention of these Mohamedan invaders. It is said about Sultan Mohammad Ghori that he at least entertained one of them, since his wife desired to see the chief of Digambaras."
During the latter period of Khilji, Tughalaq and Lodi kings, Jainas seem to have been so much predominant as to be successful in attracting the attention of a king like Allauddin Muhammadshah Khilji. He was by nature cruel and implacable and his only care was the welfare of his kingdom. He had no consideration even for Islam and disregarded the provisions of the Muslim Law.12 Yet he was a just king and ruled with a good heart but a severe hand. Consequently, his subjects were more loyal than ever. During his reign grain, clothes and other necessities of life were cheap, the dealings of bazar people were honest and the roads were safe in all directions. Even without the patronage of the Sultan many learned and great men flourished.13 It is said that the two Brāhmaṇas by name Rágho and Chetan had great influence on Allauddin and instigated him in religious matters. They beguiled him against the naked Jaina saints also. The Sultan summoned one of them. There was no learned Digambarācārya at the time in northern India. So the Jainas ran to South India and succeeded in inducing Acărya Mahasena to come over to Delhi to defend the Jaina Faith. Mahāsena appeared before Allauddin and held religious discussions with his adversaries. The Sultan bent his head before his profound learning and asceticism.15 A Digambara Jaina by name Puranacandra of Delhi was a friend of the Sultan16 and it is perhaps through him that Allauddin came in to touch with a Digambarācārya. Svetāmbara Jainācārya Rāmacandrasuri was also honoured by the Sultan. 17 In 1297-1298 A.D. Allauddin conquered the whole of Gujarat and it seems probable that he was the Mohamedan king who met Śrutavira Swāmi, the Digambara saint of Alakeśvarapura and Bharavaccha.
During the Tughalaq reign, the Jainas enjoyed much freedom, since more than one king of that line are reported to have entertained the Jaina Gurus. Sūra and Vira, the two Jaina chiefs of the Prägvăța clan, were the ministers of Ghyasuddin Tughalaq.19 Besides, it is evident from the Padmavati Basti stone inscription of Humsa in Mysore State that Sultan
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