Jaina Community a Social Survey

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Popular Book Depot Bombay

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Jaina Community-A Social Survey
a view to meeting this need a sociological research project entitled Jaina Community-A Social Survey' was undertaken by me in July, 1944 and the Thesis based on it was submitted to the University of Bombay in April 1950. The Thesis was approved by the University in October 1950 for the degree of Ph. D. in Sociology and the same Thesis is now published here. No substantial alteration has been made in the Thesis while presenting it in a book form as there has been no significant change in social conditions of the Jainas during the last nine years. Only the 1951 Census Report furnished some additional information about the Jaina population and an account based on it has been given in Appendix A, added to the book
It may be pointed out here that the names of Provinces and States used in this book refer to the old British Provinces and Indian States and not to the present States which have been formed after Reorganisation of States in 1956. The use of old names was inevitable because the Census Reports have been based on the old arrangement of Provinces and States and the census figures about Jaina population according to reorganised States are not available. It is needless to add that the term “India” used in Census Reports upto 1941 and used while discussing the conditions of Jainas in the past, refers to India before Partition.
I had the good fortune and a rare privilege to carry out my research work for a period of six years under Dr. G. S. Ghurye, M. A., Ph. D. (Cantab), Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Bombay, Bombay. Without his inspiring contact, constant supervision, thought-provoking discussions and unusual knack of exacting rigorous work from his students, it would not have been possible for me to present a scientific account, the first of its kind, of social conditions prevailing among the Jainas in India. Words fail to express my deep sense of gratitude to him for the able guidance given to me and for the personal interest he has been taking in my career as a teacher of Sociology.
I am highly indebted to the well-known authority on Jainology, Prof. Dr. A.N. Upadhye. M. A., D. LITT., Kolhapur, for every kind of help he so readily gave to me during the preparation of the Thesis and also in the publication of this book. I am also indebted to Pandit Nathuramji Premi, Bombay, Muni Jinavijayaji, Ahmedabad,