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JAINISM
01.
who are engaged in social anthropology, that only one human existence is not enough to get acquainted even approximately with the contents of this treasure-house. Thousands of scholars must conduct thorough and painstaking work on the study of the old which is quickly passing away and the new which is marching ahead, on the study of the problems of their combinations and mutual influences in all the spheres of culture.
It is gratifying to realise that scholars of modern India are making a great contribution to this tremendous work and that their colleagues from other countries are also ably parti cipating in it.
If the readers of this small book receive it as even a drop in this ocean of necessary research, then this would bring me deep satisfaction.
One final word, this book was essentially intended to acquaint the Soviet readers with the complex ethno-cultural background of India and to whet their interest in the rich and varied historical experience of the Indian people.
The work I have done has the sole aim of unravelling the historical process as it was, uninfluenced by political controversies of modern times. I have invented nothing but have striven to generalise as objectively as possible the evidence of records, monuments, folklore etc. available to the historical research worker such as I am.
I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the translator and the publishers of my book and also to all Indian friends, who helped me by their valuable advice and suggestions during the preparation of my work.
(Mrs.) N. R. GUSEVA
15 December 1970
