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PREFACE
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The carly traces of Jainism in Rajasthan are found from the second century B. C., but from the eigth century onwards, Jainism became a great cultural and dynamic force under the liberal patronage of the heroic Rājpūt rulers, who cxtended their helping hand to the Srāvakas of the neighbouring regions against the marauding foreign invaders. It is on account of this fact that a large number of Jaina temples and Grantha-bhaņdāras of the medieval period are found in Rajasthan.
Scholars have already utilised the vast available Jaina sources in writing the history of Rajasthan. Col. JAMES TOD, the pioneer historian of Rajasthan, made use of this material with the guiding help of the Jain Yati GYAN CHAND. Mahāmahopādhyāya Pt.OJHA and Shri P. C. NAHAR took great pains in discovering a large number of invaluable Jaina inscriptions. Muni JINAVIJAYAJI, Shri Agar Chand NAHATA and Dr. Kastoor Chand KASALIWAL brought to light a number of rare manuscripts which proved to be of immense help for reconstructing the history of Indian literature sin general and Jaina literaturc in particular. Dr. Dasharath SHARMA critically examined the Jaina sources in writing the Early History of the Chauhānas. All these sources on Jainism arc scattered and there was no independent work so far written. To micct this requirement, the present work was taken up by the author on the suggestion of his esteemed Professor Dr. M. L. SHARMA.
This work is an humble effort on the part of the author to present - as clear and lucid as possible a picture of Jainism in Rajasthan. In preparation
of this thesis, a lot of new material consisting of inscriptions, sculptures and manuscripts was discovered; and all this throws new light on the existing facts of history. Still there is abundant material lying untouched in different parts of Rajasthan. It is hoped that the present attempt would open new arcnues of study and rescarch in this subject.
This work is divided into seven Chapters. The first Chapter deals with the sources of the thesis. The second Chapter is concerned with the historical solc of Jainism. In this Chapter, it is pointed out how Jainism flourished under the patronage of different ruling dynasties. The third Chapier is related to the divisions and subdivisions of Jainism. For the first timc, it throws now light on the origin of several Samghas, Gaņas,
