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(4)
Thus where Smith only showed the way, Vidyavijayji has undertaken to give full details.
It is practically impossible to reconstruct history from ancient Jain poems, for they are mostly partial and unreliable. They are eomposed by staunch Jain Sadhus, with the avowed object of furthering the glory of Jain religion. Therefore, in order to find out their historical value, we should consider these characteristics :
(1) the farther a writer is removed from the times of his hero, the less reliable his information is likely to be.
(2) Those matters which glorify the Jain religion and community are mostly exaggerated. Therefore they need corroboration from independent reliable sources.
(3) If there are any matters which belittle the Jain religion itself, then they are likely to be true.
(4) Pattavalis (geneologies) and dates given by these Jain monks seem to be mostly correct.
Out of the authors of the three chief works on which our author has relied, the author of the first work (Hemavijay) had accompanied Hirvijaysuri to the court of Akbar. So he was his contemporary and an eye-witness of all that happened at Akbar's court. Both Devavimal and Rishabhadas were pupils of Hirvijaysuri's pupils. Thus they were removed only by one degree from the hero of our work. Moreover other works on which Our author has relied are not much removed from Akbar's times.
Moreover it has been possible for our author to consult independent works which corroborate the Jain works consulted by him. These independent works include Ain-iAkbari, farmans, etc. And because our work satisfies both these requisites so well, the history found in it is true and impartial.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
