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Chapter 1. Introduction
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Oshwals constitute a very small portion of the Indian population. How did such a small community exercise so much influence? The answer lies in religion. Jainism did not get much of royal support in the first few centuries after twenty-fourth Tirthankar, Mahavir passed away (in 527 B.C., according to Jain tradition). There was only one royal patron in those centuries, the Emperor Samprati, the great Emperor Ashoka's grandson, whose capital was Ujjain. However, people engaged in commerce and trades were drawn to Jainism from at least the early centuries of Christian era.
There have been many groups and sub groups within the community. But when one comes to analyze the differences among them, it is found that these relate to trifling matters of rituals, or to details of mythological stories.
At the present time Oshwal community is spread all over the World. Prominent Jains play innumerable roles in different spheres of activity. At the present time there are many eminent people in Oshwal families, industrial magnates, high court judges of states and provinces, heads of local government bodies such as regional corporations, municipalities, local district boards and so on. Many have distinguished themselves as scholars, research workers, writers, dramatists, poets, critics, actors, editors, orators, engineers, social workers, physicians, and in almost every field. The Internationally famous Atomic Scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who brought the atomic research up to the standard of western countries, was an illustrious son of this community. In the struggle for the political freedom of India Oshwals contributed manpower and financial support. The Oshwal community has contributed in recent years to political, social and economical progress of India and other countries in which they have settled.
