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Higher Education and Re.earch in Prākrits & Jainology
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to be prominently studied in Indian Universities since 1924-25 when Ardhamāgadhi was recognised as one of the classical languages for study, first at the University stage, and later at the matriculation stage." (Prakrit Seminar, Kolhapur, 1968). For many years Maharastra as a whole had been a most important centre for Prākrit and Jainological studies. But now it is declining. The same is the position of Calcutta, the renowned University of West Bengal.
Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi stands at present at the top, as two independent Departments for Prākrit and Jainological studies have been started without the help of any endowment. The names of the Departments are as follows,
1. Department of Prākrit and Jaināgama, and 2. Department of Jaina Darshana,
both in the Faculty of Sramaņa-vidyā.
Two independent courses of studies from higher seeondary to PostGraduate studies have been introduced. The University provides facilities for higher education and Doctoral & Post-Doctoral research. Other courses of studies are carried in the affiliated Vidyalayas and Mahāvidyālayas for which the University takes examinations. Introduction of these studies in a university of traditional learning, has widened the scope, and the neglected traditional Pathaśālās and Vidyālayas, which build the back-bone of such studies, received due recognition. Still much is to be done in the field.
Among the endowment chairs and departmens, Mysore and Udaipur are well-planned and developing speedily. Others are yet to focus their image. The oldest endowment chair at Banaras Hindu University had suffered a very unfortunate setback during the gradation of Teachers in due course. It is now a Lecturer's post in the Faculty of Oriental Learning and Theology. A fifty-five years, old infant is being survived by spoon-feeding.
Research Institutes
Some Institutions affiliated to or recognised by the University as centre for Jainological studies, have been established during last few decades. Mention may be made to the following,
संकाय पत्रिका-१
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
