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Jain Conference Herald. [September political movements and attend the Court house of Kumarpal almost daily, nevertheless in the solitary moments he could snatch from his busy life and the occasional seclusion he could attend to enjoy, be managed to compose the great works, the real specimens of his great, almost gigantic learning, wide experience, unceasing industry and masterly style. Portion of the writings of this great author that is extant at present, excites our amazement at the intellectual activity of this great person and serves to give great enthusiasm to real workers in the same field.
To a student of history it is a well-known fact that Mahomedan Emperors and Rulers, in their enthusiasm to convert many people to Islamism went against the natural trend of human nature in destroying the Shrines, physical and mental of Hindoos and Jains. In this respect they acted contrary to the general tendency of human nature and whether and how far their destructive efforts were successful is a question of purely academic interest in the discussion of the subject under consideration, but this much, however, seems to be historically proved viz. that wherever and whenever they came across temples or libraries containing ancient and valuable manuscripts they seem to have taken the first opportunity of destroying the same.
Now some of the great works of these ancient and celebrated authors and benefactors of humanity have been preserved by the care of our forefathers who, in their anxiety to save this valuable treasure for the benefit of posterity, hit upon the plan of raising walls a inst these libraries in order that future generation may ntilise the valuable contents thereof with advantage. Any one who sees the libraries (Bhandars) at Jaisalmer, Patan and Cambay is sure to be struck with the foresight, sagacity and wisdom of the founders. This is the inheritance which, in some cases, they preserved for future generations even at the risk or sacrifice of their own lives. The ancient custodians of these works seem to have been punctilious even in minor points such as durability of paper, palm-leaves, protection against insects, weather &c. But on this point it is necessary for us to go into detail.
The real question of importance to us is to consider the real value of this intellectual lore for the preservation of which our forefathers did not hesitate to give up their lives. The value of such great works as described above, under the circumstances that have happened, cannot be too exaggerated. The obstinacy of some of the custodians of these great
