________________
12
Development and Impact of Jainism in India
Gujarat State (Central and Southern)
Dr. Thomas Parmar
H. K. Arts College (Retd. Lecturer) Ahmedabad Visiting Faculty C.E.P.T. Univercity
Jainism is one of the popular religion of Gujarat State. It was prevatent in the region since Kshatrapa period (A.D. 100-400). In Ujjayant (Girnar), Shatrunjay, Dhank and Bharukachchh (Bharuch) Jain places of Pilgrimage were established. In Saurashtra hill vihars for Jain monks were carved like Bauddha's vihar. Gradually Jainism was spread and developed in Gujarat during Maitraka period, Chavada, Solanki-Vaghela period, Sultanate Mughal, Maratha and British period. Like other parts of the region central and southern Gujarat were also highly impacted by Jainism. Jain acharyas, shreshthis, doners and scholars have contributed in the development of central and southern Gujarat. Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Khambhat were the main Jain centers of central Gujarat. while Kavi, Gandhar, Bharuch and Surat were the main Jain centers of southern Gujarat.
Ahmedabad :
Ahmedabad was the capital of Gujarat for more than five hundred years. It was the wellknown center of Jainism. In the Jain sources it is reffered as Shri Rajanagar or sometimes as Jainpuri. In the development of the city Jain people, doners, shresthis and acharya maharajs have contributed. The city was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah I in 1411 A.D. The city had three stages Ashaval, Karnavati and last Ahmedabad. Ashaval which was founded by Asha Bhil and was conquered by Solanki King Karnadev and the it was re-named as Karnavati. Durign the three stages there was impact of Jainism.
In Ashaval many Jain temples were existed and 84 rich Jains were residing. 'Prabhavak Charit' refers the existance of temples of Shri Parshvanath, Shri Vasupujyaswami and Udayanvihar. Karnavati was aslo the center of Jainism. The temple of Arishtanemi was located in Karnavati. Kako the organiser of the Sangh (Pilgrimage) to Shatrunjay was the resident of Karnavati. He was one of the great personality of Karnavati. He had received the farman from Ahmed Shah for the Sangh. It indicates the impact of Jains on Muslim rular.
During the stage of Ahmedabad the impact of Jainism was continued, and was more increased. Since the foundation of the British rule in the city, the Jain mahajans, nagarshrethi and industrialists contributed in the development of the city. During the natural calamities they served the people. During the famine of V.S. 1717 Ratan Shah, Lakshmichand, Manekchand and Hemaji Shah the sons of Sheth Shantidas had done relief works and tried to solve the troubles of the people. In 1725 A.D. when Marathas were prepared to rob the city for the collection of the Chauth (one type of tax), Nagarsheth Khushalchand paid the amount of the Chauth from his own pocket and saved the city from the robbery by Marathas. It was the great contribution of Nagarsheth Khushalchand on the city.
City contains the old Granth-bhandars (libraries) with hundred manuscripts, written by
70
