Jainism

Author(s): Vallabh Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabh Smarak Nidhi

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commercial activity, can be formed from Colonel Todd's remarks in the Annals of Rajasthan. He says More than half the mercantile wealth of India passes through the hands of the Jains." This same opinion has been held by Lord Curzon and other Statesmen about the present Jains.
The Jains have been great politicians. The political History of india in the past is closely interwoven with that of the Jains. Jainism has produced powerful rulers like Shrenik, the nine Nandas, Chandragupta, Samprati, Siddharaj, Kumarpal and many others. Almost all the Ministers of these rulers were Jains. Among them the names of Tejpal and Vastupal are famous. The Jains have been best administrators, best financiers and best judges. In the reign of the Moghal Emperors they held great powers, but their talents were best displayed under the Rajputs. Almost all the important departments of Rajput states were given in their charge and it is a matter of great satisfaction that they have faithfully discharged their duties. The Dewan of the present Maharana of Udaipur is a Jain and even now the Jains play an important part in the Rajputana States, in their various departments.