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JAINISM IN RAJASTHAN
On the basis of these pointers of Jain archaeological heritage in Rajasthan one can easily estimate the volume of literary heritage of Jains. It is impossible to compile just a list of scholars and their works in a limited space. The list of works by just one Gachchha (KhartarGachchha) took more than five hundred foolscap size pages.
In the past two centuries, besides renovation of old temples, many more new temples have been erected all around Rajasthan and the activity continues unabated. As in the past, Jains have not confined themselves to spiritual, religious and scholarly pursuits, they have also been sincerely and liberally involved in various other social and altruistic activities including education, health care, animal welfare. Many institutions and other organizations have sprung up during last two centuries. Providing even brief details of all such activities would fill volumes. It would be best to give a brief list of some prominent organizations here.
With such a glorious past, a spread covering the whole subcontinent, and an unbroken history of at least 2700 years, Jains also have a tale of destruction, devastation and conflict to tell. At times they had to abandon their strongholds and settle in new areas. The grand sculptures, temples and other edifices constructed by them were transformed into places of worship of other religions or reduced to dust. It is difficult to accurately put together the story of such a chequered past and more so when the inheritors lack the will and enthusiasm to recapture their past glory. There have been only some local or, at the most, some regional or sectarian efforts at historical research.
It is because of this state of affairs that most Jains are today not aware of the vital part played by their ancestors in the overall evolution of Indian culture. The Jain apathy has also resulted in the sidelining of their contributions by scholars not fully acquainted with the Jain culture and more so by the biased sectarians from their own as well as other numerous religious sects.
In spite of all neglect and destruction, a lot more still remains of what the Jains had contributed to Indian culture during their heydays in ancient and medieval Indian culture. The ancient structures and artifacts, some of them in ruinous condition, spread all over the country are like ambassadors from the by gone eras. They are telltale signs of the heights attained by Shraman culture in various periods of history. The voluminous literary contribution made by scholarly ascetics and laymen is comparatively better preserved. Even now, if properly attended to and studied these evidences can provide important clues in tracing back the true and scientific history of Jains as well as the related region and the Indian subcontinent. It is time some serious efforts were made to create an infrastructure for continued, concerted, non-sectarian and organized research in various fields. Then only Jains will be able to rewrite their history in a wider perspective with a scientific outlook.
RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF RAJSTHAN 1. Jain Viswabharati Ladhu (Jain University) 2. Pandit Todarmal Smask Trust - Jaipur
Prakrit Bharti - Jaipur
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