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Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
But a thorough study of this important Sect, which is said to be a product of South Indian Jainism, particularly Karnatak Jainism, is a desideration. Somc 25 years ago, V.S.Agarwal expressed that a detailed study of the Yapaniyas could be presented in the form of an important research dissertation.26 Last year Muni Śri Hastimallaji, who was staying at Raichur, had sent one of his follower-scholars to Dharwad to plan a line of study in this regard. This shows the need as well as importance of this prospect.
(2) Reconstruction of the History of Jainism in Andhra Pradesh: We know that the Telugu country was rather the first in South India to receive the gospal of Lord Mahāvīra through the first team of Jaina teachers moving through Kalinga. Later Jaina teachings must have penetrated into this region from the Kalbappu centre too. Thus Jainism must have flourished in this region to a considerable degree. But unfortunately owing to the Buddhist rivalry in the early days and the Hindu revival in the later days, almost all the Jaina literary works, most of the Jaina inscriptions and monuments appear to have been destroyed. As a result of this and on some other ground, scholars have just surmised the 9th and 10th centuries A.D. as the possible Jaina period of prosperity in this region. But after that, going through the monograph entitled Jaina Vestiges in Andhra by S.Gopalkrsna Murthy,21 I feel that a few more intensive and extensive efforts, after the manner of the one by this learned Professor, on the part of some enthusiastic archaeologists, epigraphists, and art specialists, would make some more material available for the primary reconstruction of the history of Jainism in Andhra Pradesh. I felt overwhelmed when I read about the existence of a Jaina University at Raydurg - a University in stone, with inscrptions mentioning the names of Jaina teachers belonging to the Mulasamgha and the Yapanīya Samgha which was contemporaneous with the Rāstrakūtas and the Western Cālukyas.28
(3) Reconstruction of the History of Jainism in the Western Coast of South India : Scholars like Saletore, Desai etc., noted that several petty kings and chieftains patronised Jainism in the
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