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122 :: Aspects of Jaina Religion
made animal slaughter during the Paryūsaņa days a capital offence throughout his vast empire. This tolerant policy of the Great Moghal was revoked by his successor Jahangir. A deputation of the Jainas which visited Jahangir in 1610 A.D. was able to secure a new imperial firman or rescript under which the slaughter of animals was again prohibited during the days of the Paryūṣaṇa.
During the Mohammedan period, however, the Jainas particularly increased in the native States of Rajputana, where they came to occupy many important offices under the state as generals and ministers. In this connection Col. Tod remarks that:
"The officers of the state and revenue are chiefly of the Jaina laity. The Chief Magistrate and assessors of Jusice in Udaipur and most of the towns of Rajasthan, are of this sect. Man ny of the ancient cities where this religion was fostered, have inscriptions which evince their prosperity in these countries, wherewith their own history is interwoven. In fine, the necrological records of the Jainas bear witness to their having occupied a distinguished place in Rajput society; and the privileges they still enjoy, prove that they are not overlooked.” (Vide Col. Tod, J.: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Vol. II, pp. 603-605).
