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572
S. B. DEO temples”.525 This also led to a class of the Mathādhipatis who lived in great pomp, and who, as we have noted from the Anagāradharmämsta of Asādhara (13th century A.D.), were denounced in strong terms.
As late as in 1820 A.D., BURGESS refers to the existence of Brahmin priests in Jaina temples.526 SOCIAL STATUS OF THE DONORS
We have already seen elsewhere that the Mathura inscriptions reveal a variety of patrons of Jainism, the majority among whom was that of the traders and merchants as also those who were following various crafts.
Coming to the medieval period we find that in the South as in the North, ministers, 527 generals and state officials528 like head-accountants and treasurers, supported the spread of Jainism.
It should, however, not be supposed that only the higher aristocratic classes supported Jaina religion. As a matter of fact, in the late medieval period we have such persons whose "descent was from the fourth caste", 529 village headmen530 and petty local merchants who supported Jaina monks as also swelled the ranks of the Jaina Church by embracing asceticism.
This tradition of strong support from the financially well stabilised lay community even upto the present day has accounted for the perpetuation of Jainism in India.
JAINA MONACHISM AND MARTIAL SPIRIT:
It has been held by some scholars that the principle of ahiṁsā which is the backbone of Jaina monachism, gave a set-back to the martial spirit in India. They say that various royal patrons and the mass of population in general became a submissively peace-loving community in India.
It should be pointed out, however, that this view is far from being correct as both literary and epigraphical sources give instances of ordinary people as well as kings who, inspite of their Jaina affinities, never neglected their military duties.
525. FLEET, I.A., VI, pp. 24-25. 526. 1.A., XXXI, p. 72.
527. Gangarāja, minister to Hoysalas: E.C., III, Mal. 31: Amitayya Dandanayaka: Ibid., VI, Kd., 36; Cāmundaraya, minister to the Gangas; Irugappa, E.I., VII, p. 115.
528. Hulla, head accountant, E.C., II, 66; Srivijaya, a general: GUERINOT, op. cit., 122; Mariyāne Dandanayaka, the ruby treasurer, E.C., II, 64.
529. Ibid., VI, Kd. 36 of 1203 A.D. 530. FLEET., L.A., IV, p. 205.
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