Jaina Inscriptions in Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan, C K Sivprakasham
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai

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The present work is a collection of 530 Jaina inscriptions in Tamilnadu from the earliest times to the modern period. The collection has been systematically presented district wise in 18 chapters with an appendix. Some epigraphs from places like Saravananpēḍu, Velappäḍi and Chittamur have been discovered by Dr. A. Ekambaranathan. If we go through the inscriptions, we find revealing material throwing light on the history of Jainism in this region. It is worthy of note that large number of early records come from the southern districts, while later epigraphs are abundant in the northern districts of Tamilnadu. Obviously, the concentration of the Jains prior to the 10th century A.D. was mainly in the southern part and subsequently several settlements sprang up in the northern part of the state.
The inscriptions collected in this book also give an insight into the political history of the area. The early Brahmi records have the credit of supplementing our knowledge with the names of five kings of the Sangam age. The patronage extended to Jainism by the Pallava, Chōļa, Pāṇḍya and Vijayanagar rulers is apparent from their lithic records found in epicentres like Kalugumalai, Madurai, Tirupparuttikungu, Tirumalai, Tirunagungoṇḍai etc. Most of these kings, though followers of Hinduism, were tolerent towards Jainism. There was mutual respect for each others' faith. It is a great lesson to the recent rise of fundamentalism in our country.
Dr. A. Ekambaranathan and Dr. C. K. Sivaprakasam have done great service to the study of ancient inscriptions of Jaina faith in particular and to the history of Tamilnadu in general. The authors deserve our felicitation for the rich contribution to the
Jainological studies. The book is a valuable addition to the library pertaining to the study of Jainology. I hope more and more such works will come out of the facile pen of Dr. A. Ekambaranathan and Dr. C. K. Sivaprakasam.
Madras, 9-3-1987.
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T. G.
KALGHATGI