Jain Thought and Culture

Author(s): G C Pandey
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 86

Jain Thought and Culture
were opium iraders, contractors and bankers and their business was generally far from home 15
Perhaps the Oswal section of the Jainas, which had its begin. ning in Rajputana was the largest among the merchants and many of the hereditary officials belonged to the commercial castes 16
Amongst the hereditary officials of Mewar the Mehtas had held the higher posts for many years At one time the ministers and the members of the Mahakama Khas were Mehta Gokal Chand and Mehta Puna Lal and another member of the same family, Mehta Gopal Das, held the post of Durbar Agent at Nathdwara Mehta Madhu Singh was Fauj Bakshi and was descendant of the former well-known Pradhan or minister, Mehla Ram Singh Mehta is a surname from village called Maha wtaka
The Kotharis (Oswals) and Pancholis (Kayasthas) held office bet ween themselves for generations long before the establishment of British supremacy, but with the exception of Kothari Chhagan Lal who had charge of the treasury,revenue and commission departments, none held any important post, they were, however, in the enjoyment of jagirs from state 17 Those of them who took service with the Raja or the jagirdar adopted some of their ways of living Their ladies observed parda, they themselves dressed like their masters and maintained outward'show of pomp and power They did not attach much importance to higher learning as it was not required in their commercial profession During the period our study the Bhandaris, Mahnots, Singhvis, Muhtas, Estate Managers and Lodhas of the Oswal community held very high and important positions in the State of Jodhpur 19
Some of them like Singhi Chain Karan, Singhi Vanaraj, Singhi Indra Raj and Bhandari Gangaram led the state forces 20
Lieutenant A Burn21 who had paid a visit on secret mission in 1828-29 A D to Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, however, remarks, “Baneas
15 The Rajputana Gazetteer, Vol II, Calcutta (1879) P 194 16 Ibid, p 70 17 The Rajputana Gazetteer, Vol, 111, Simla, (1880) 18 Report Mardumshumarı, op cit, p. 416 19 The Rajputana Gazetteer, Vol 11, Calcutta (1879) 20 Pt Ramkarna Asopa, Marwar ka Mool Itihasa, Jodhpur (1931) p 257 21 Foreign, 14 October, 1830,3 8, Secret Consultations, National Archives of India