Jainism in Rajasthan

Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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JAINISM IN RAJASTHAN
SANGHĨ JHOTĀRĀMA AS A DIPLOMAT. Sanghi Jhotārāma was a shrewd diplomat in the nineteenth century A.D. Such was his powerful influence in the court of Jaipur that Tod remaiked it as the faithless court, the Jhootā darbāra and the Baniyārāja. But these expressions indicate only the partisan character It was only due to the prejudice of the author against the hesitation of Jaipur state in accepting the British alliance because of the influence of Jhotārama who knew the future consequences. The British Government took Bairisala of Samod, the leading nobles of the state to their side. Between Jhotārāma and Ravala Bairīsāla, there came into existence the deadly enmity. In order to bring the downfall of Jhotārama, schemes were devised. He was credited with the ciime of murdering his young master in 1835 A.D. When he knew the jealousy, he himself resigned the post of ministership. He was ordered to go to Dausa, where he was kept under strict restrictions. He could neither write nor read. Santris and Chaparasis remained there to guard him. Even after that, the plots were devised by Rāvala Bairīsāla who was in power.
In 1835 A.D., the assault was committed upon the person on the British Resident Major Alves when he was returning from a visit of ceremony at the palace. It caused the death of Mr. Blake, the assistant agent to the Governor General. Jhotārama was residing at Dausa under confinement. He with his brother and son were arrested because some letters were seized both at Dausa and Agra. As a matter of fact, these letters seem to be forged. For the trial of this case, the court met in 1836 A.D. The judges appointed for the trial were the puppets in the hands of the British Government. He and his brother were sentenced to death by the court but the Governor General in Council however took a different view of this case. The sentences of death in their case was commuted to imprisonment for life and the fort of Chunar was designated as the place of their confinement.1
The numerous Jaina statesmen, soldiers and administrators who served various important states of Rajputana for several centuries wielded naturally a great influence in the respective states. Their influence was very helpful to the spread and dissemination of Jainism in Rajasthan. They secured respect for Jaina Sadhus, arranged maintenance of Jaina temples, helped in
1 Jaipur State Trials.