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The Influence of Jainism on Akbar, The Mughal Emperor : 125
pilgrims visiting Mount Shatrunjaya. Such was the imperial esteem for the Jaina-teacher that Akbar made a special halt for three days when crossing the Pir Panjal pass to enable Bhanuchandra, whose feet had get in flamed during the journey, to recover. 15 Some details of Bhanuchandra's stay at Akbar's court are given in the Jaina biographical poem, called 'Bhānucandra Carita,' written by his disciple Siddhichandra.
Akbar extended his favours equally to the leaders of the Kharatara Gaccha sect also. In 1591, he invited Jinachandra Suri, the head, to come to the court through Karam Chand, a minister in Bikaner state. The reputation of his learning and erudition, asceticism and saintliness spread to the most of the part of the country. Jinachandra accepted the invitation and reached Lahore on 14th Fe. 1592. Thirty one monks accompanied him, prominent among whom were Jaya Soma and Kanak Soma, and many others. He was given a royal welcome, on behalf of Akbar, by the Jaina community and the public of Lahore. Mahim Raj, the notable Follower of this sect, in cooperation with Karam Chand, tried to make his reception as magnificent as it could be, Akbar was profoundly struck by his religious discourses. During his one year's stay at Lahore, the Guru came into close contact with Akbar and explained to him the meaning and significance of Jainism in general and that of Khartara Gachha in particular. When Jinachandra Suri came to know about the demolition of Jaina temple at Dwarka, he brought this grievance to the Emperor's notice and secured from him an order for the protection of Jain temples and places of pilgrimage. Before starting on his second expedition of Kashmir in August, 1592, Akbar issued, at Jinachandra's request, a farman to all the provinces of the empire prohibiting the slaughter of animals for seven days every year from 9th of the bright half of the month of Așādha to the 15th 16 It was at the personal request of his follower, Karam Chand, that Akbar made over to him, about a thousand metal images of Jaina
