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Mahmud or Mohammada entertained the Karnataka Jaina Guru named Simhakirti.Prof. B.A. Saletore has identified this king with Mohammada Tughalaq. He writes that The only ruler who satisfied all these conditions was Muhammad Tughalaq, who ascended the throne in A.D. 1325 and reigned till A.D. 1351. Dr. Ishwari Prasad, correcting the erroneous nature of the statements made by modern writers on Indian history concerning that ruler, has amply shown that Sultan Muhammad Tughalaq was the most learned and accomplished of Muslim kings who sat on the throne of Delhi since the Muslim conquests; that he was well versed both in Islamic and Aristotelian philosophy; that he loved to argue with philosophers; that theologians and rhetoricians were afraid to dispute with him because of his extraordinary gifts of intellect; that he showed great regard for the religious susceptibilities of the Hindus and that till A.D. 1337, when Fakhruddin usurped the governorship of Lakhnauti and made himself an independent prince, Bengal continued to be under the protection of Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq. There is nothing strange Simhakirti having won renown in the court of Sultan Muhammad Tuglaq. He may have been only one of the many philosophers invited by the accomplished Sultan to Delhi.21
The next Tughalaq king who followed in the footsteps of his predecessor was Sultan Firozshah Tughalaq. He, too was famous for his learning and philanthrophy. He assigned 36 lacs of tankas for learned and religious men and about a 100 lacs in pensions and gifts to the poor and needy. This liberal-minded Sultan also invited Digambara Jaina saints and entertained them at his court and palace. It was for the sake of the queen of Firozshah that the Jainācārya put on a piece of cloth to hide his nakedness and appeared before her clothed. Although he took prāyaścitta for this, his undue liberty, the example set by him was soon adopted by his followers and the sect of Bhatțărakas, with their clothed Yatis came into existence.23 The Jaina poet Ratnaśekhara was honoured also by Sultan Firozshāh.24 Further, it is reported about his Sultan that he invited many Brāhmaṇas and Seoras to read the inscription on the pillar of Asoka, which he got removed to Delhi from the village Khizrabad.25 The Jainas in the Punjab side are called Seoras even to this day. So the Seoras invited by the Sultan were no other than the Jainas. These facts are enough to point the great influence which Jainas wielded during the Tughlaq regime.
During the period between A.D. 1526-1761, the kings of the famous Süra and Mughal dynasties ruled over India and the Jainas were fortunate to enjoy the patronage of some of them.
TAHT YE HART – HTE, 2005
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