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LEGACY OF JAINS AND ITS IMPACT ON
MAHARASHTRA: A STUDY
Dr. PADMAJA A. PATIL DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY,SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR MAHARASHATRA
Part 1 INTRODUCTION:
The Jain community is one of the very ancient communities in India and from hoary antiquity to the present day it has scattered throughout the length and breadth of India. Mahaveer, the last of 24 Jain Teerthankars, was a contemporary of Buddha and died about 627 B.C. The Jain religion refers to a number of 23 previous Teerthankars and there can be a little doubt that Jainism as a distinct religion was flourishing several centuries before Christ. Jainism is a monastic religion which, like Buddhism, denies the authority of the Veda, and is therefore, regarded by the Brahmins as heretical. The Jain Church consists of the monastic order and the lay community, i.e. 'Chatuhsangh'.
It is mainly divided into two sections, the Shvetambaras (monks who wear white clothes) and the Digambars (monks who remain naked). The history of the Jain Church, in both sections is chiefly contained in their lists of patriarchs and teachers and in legends concerning them (Bhanavat & Jain 1989:388).
In the sixth century A.D. in the council of Vallabhi the broad division of Shwetambara and Digambara became sharper. After the fall of the Gupta empire (after 5th century A.D.), new trends began to appear in Indian History. In particular, the collapse of central political power led to fragmentation of authority. We observe that important saints and sadhus differed and responded to the requirements and tendencies of different times and climes. But inspite of differing on some points of doctrine and discipline, they have broadly adhered to the main principles of the creed. Unlike many other Indian communities the Jain community tends to migrate to places far and wide throughout the world for trade, industry, profession and education. This proves their ambitiousness. Jainism being an independent religion its follower's have got their own vast sacred literature, distinct philosophy and outlook of life, and special ethical rules of conduct based on the fundamental principle of Ahimsa. Though a small community they have contributed a great deal to the development of art and architecture, logic and philosophy, language and literature, education and learning, charitable and public institutions and political, material and spiritual welfare of the people of different regions of India.
DIVISION OF THE PAPER:
The paper is divided into three parts. Part I includes the introduction and study of related literature. Part II focuses on rich legacy and impact of Jain religion in Maharashtra through the ages. Part III presents the conclusions and further areas of research on the topic.
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