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so because of my ignorance of the great religion of Jainism, on the one hand, and my own very close contacts with Bihar, on the other. Bihar has been the centre of our ancient history for centuries. It has been the birth place, and has served as a stage for the activities of great heroes in every department of human endeavour-art, science, literature, philosophy, religion, statesmanship and war. It is also blessed with very valuable natural resources and a kindly, simple and hospitable people. If today it is one of the most important States of our Union, there is nothing to be wondered at. I am therefore particularly happy that Mr. Roy Choudhury has, by his researches embodied in this book, given additional reason for the recognition of the greatness of Bihar by telling us of its close and intimate association with the Jain religion and the beautiful architecture that gives material expression to it. The temple on the Paras Nath Hill was already far-famed, but we find in this book how Jain antiquities are available in most of the districts of Bihar, showing how widely the faith had spread in the area, and what a strong hold it has had on the hearts of the people there. The book will come as a revelation to many in the State itself who were unaware of the wealth that lay around them. This is a matter of pride not only to those who follow the Jain faith, not only to the State of Bihar, but to the whole country. We have all reason to be grateful to Mr. Roy
