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( 3 ) Lastly as the Jain point of view given by our critic in (c, above ) that the founder of their religion was Rishabhdera and that their religionis eternal etc; we have only one word to add. It is not peculiar of the Jains alone, but more enthusiast and the more orthodox members of a religious community, almost invariably, claim for their religion a far more antiquity than, perhaps, what can stand a sober and reasonable historical criticism. But the more sober, even amongst them, would allow some latitude for historical criticism. Mr. Jogindra Lal Jaini in the Outlines of Jainism,” page 33, while summing up his conclusions regarding the antiquity of Jainism, says:—"Thus historical research allows the beginning and confirms the conclusion* of the sacred Jain tradition. Its main tenor has yet to be verfied.”
Now we do hope that our critics will be convinced that we are not alone in expressing the view that ‘Mahavira founded Jainism' but this view is expressed by several recognized writers in their most recent and up-to-date Standard Work on Indian History, quoted above. These works, we must remember, are designed for the advanced University students and
· * Conclusion i. e. Mahavira was the last Tirathankara who attained Nirvana 250 years after Parsavanath.
