Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 75

66
Jitendra B. Shah
SAMBODHI
since decades. Many Jains have settled in as well as outside the city. Oswal, Porval, Shrimali, Agrawal are the chief Jain communities of Ahmedabad. On the basis of known lineages, most of these communities of Ahmedabad have come from Rajasthan. Shantidas Sheth came from Rajasthan and settled in Ahmedabad. Names of various communities suggest that they have come from villages and towns of Rajasthan like Osiyaji, Bhinnmal, Shrimal etc. Some communities have come to Ahmedabad from other regions of Gujarat like Saurashtra, North Gujarat and Kutch for education and commerce.
The Jains have surnames like Kapadia, Doshi, Gandhi, Mehta, Shah, Parekh which explain about their business activities as merchants of clothes, diamond merchants etc.
After industrial revolution, Jains of Ahmedabad ventured into cloth mills, chemical and other industries. Today Jains have taken a leading position in businesses like pharmacy, iron, chemicals, etc. The Jains have not only earned the name in commerce but has also served the society by their charitable activities in education and health services.
King of Gujarat Karnadev Solanki in 1074 A.D. defeated Asha Bhil and won Ashavalli(Ashaval). Karnadev was the father of Siddhraj Jaysinh. The Jains had a lion share in the development of Karnavati. In 1411 A.D. King Ahmed Shah founded Ahmedabad (Amdabvad), later known as Amdavad. It remained the capital of Gujarat for centuries. The city has been constantly flourishing since then and credit goes to the intelligence, skill and generosity of Jains. In 17th century, Shantidas Sheth came here and became an eminent representative of the entire Jain community. He had developed loyal relations with Mogul king Akbar and other Mogul kings. So the city became a major centre of commerce with the best facilities for Jainism. Thus Ahmedabad is also famous as the capital of Jains.
For the development of Ahmedabad, Ahmedshah, founder of city and Mehmood Begda had invited prosperous businessmen to settle in Ahmedabad and start their business. Moreover, the legislative body of these kings included Jain shravaks like Gunraj, Gadraj and Gala Mehta etc. Shantidas Sheth, the leader of business in Ahmedabad took great pains to strengthen the influence of Jains. Other Shravaks like Devdhar Shrimali, Sonpal, Shiva, Somji, Latkan Shah, Moola Sheth, Veepa Parekh also gave notable contribution in social and religious prosperity of Ahmedabad.
Jain scriptures have many references of Ahmedabad.