Jainism in Ealy Medieval Karnataka

Author(s): Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

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FOREWORD
From the time of the Mauryas Jainism was an important factor in the religious life of the area now covered by Karnataka State, formerly known as Mysore. With the support of many kings, the Jainas erected splendid temples and monasteries in many parts of the region, and the wonderful remains at Sravaņa-Belgola and elsewhere remain to this day as living memorials of the former greatness of Jainism, which still retains the support of many inhabitants of the area. The Jainas were pioneers in the development of the Kannada language, and they contributed greatly to many aspects of the cultural life of the region.
This important factor in the development of the civilization of South India has not bcen adequately studied. The great majority of the scholars specialising in the subject, whether in India or elsewhere, devote most of their attention to the forms of Jainism still prevalent in Gujarat and Rajasthan, while the Digambara Jainas of the South receive much less attention, and that mainly from local scholars. I am very glad that Dr. R. B. P. Singh has helped to fill a serious gap in our library shelves by producing this excellent study, which describes the Jain religion as it existed in Karnataka in the early medieval period. He has acquired a sound knowledge of the Kannada language in which many of his sources arc written and with this, together with a good knowledge of Sanskrit and Prākrit, he has produced a sound and scholarly survey of many aspects of the subject, not neglecting the social effects of Jainism on the life of the times. His work is sound, authoritative and original, and forms a very significant contribution to the study of India's religious history.
A. L. Basham
Australian National University
Canberra 28 January 1973