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Bhagawan Mahavir)
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acquainted with the conditions of human society. The real cause of India's slavery is not Ahimsa, but inactivity, ignorance and lack of tolerance; and 'Himsa' (vilence ) is at the root of all these. The history of ancient India tells us that as long as religionleased on Ahimsa held the sway, peace, happiness, contentment and bravery reigned supreme in this country. king Shrenika, Cheda, Chandra Gupta, Maurya, and Ashoka were the great devotees and propagators of the principle of Ahimsa; was India a slave in their times ? All famous kings of Kadamba, Pallava and Chalukya dynasties of the Deccan were staunch believers in Ahimsa; did any foreigner oppress India in their times ? Emperor Shri Harsha was a follower of Ahimsa; did any enemy trouble his subjects? Similarly king Amogha Varsha of the Rashtra kuta dynasty of the Deccan and king Kumara-Pala of the Chalukya dynasty of Gujarat practised Ahimsa in their life; was India a slave in their time? Certainly not. History tells us that India was at the height of her glory in the reign of these kings. . .As long ae Jainism and Buddhism were in vogue as national religions peace, prosperity and freedom reigned supreme in India. The kings who believed in Ahimsa fought many battles, defeated many enemies, and punished many evil doers, Neither did their devotion to Ahimsa make the country dependent nor did it make the people weak. Those who are acquainted with the history of Gujarat and Rajputana, know it well bow the Jainas fought for the freedom of these countries. When Gujarat was under the rule of a Jaina, Kings and all high offices were held by the Jainas, it had reached the height of its glory. None is so famous in the
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