mokshamargasya netaram bhettaram karmabhubhrtam
jñataram vishvatattvanam vande tadgunalabdhaye

Jaya Jinendra

JAINA DHARMA KA ITIHASA in 3 Volumes (Hindi)
By Prof. Kailash Chand Jain
2005 220 x 145 mm 1084 pp in 3 vols. + 4 maps
81 246 0316 2 (Set) Hardcover Rs. 1650

This is a superlative work on the history of Jainism. Written
insightfully with scholarly thoroughness, it is the kind of work
that brings to mind the writings of Pt. Nathuramji Premi, Pt.
Jugalkishorji Mukhtar and Pt. Sukhlalji, three most highly
regarded Jain historians of the 20th century.

The work has been divided into three sections.

Section One deals with the historical evidences supporting
the existence of Tirthankara Parsvanatha some three
centuries before Mahavira. Mahavira's Era is examined
minutely, sufficient attention has been paid to the religious,
philosophical, theological, political, artistic, literary and
social developments of that time.

Section Two carries out an historical survey of the Jaina
religion. A detailed study is made of its expansion and
spread linking it with favourably inclined rulers. Jainism
expanded in leaps and bounds during the time when the
Mauryans ruled Magadha and Kharavelas ruled Orissa. In
the Kushana era, the master craftsmen, merchants and
working class of Shurasena (Mathura) were greatly
influenced by Jainism. The era between the 9th and 12th
centuries CE was a period of unprecedented growth for
Jainism. In the North, Pratihara, Parmara and Chauhan
rulers favoured Jainism. In the South, the Calukyas, the
Rashtrakuta and Ganga kings supported Jainism.

Hence, this period may be termed as the golden era of
Jainism.

A large number of Jaina temples and idols were built and
consecrated at that time. The contribution of some famous
Jaina monks, nuns and lay followers is also explained. The
genesis of sanghas, gacchas and jñatis is also closely
examined in this section. It is interesting to see that the
author has also attempted to examine the roots of the
gotras still prevalent in the Jaina community today.

Section Three deals with medieval Jainism. During Muslim
rule, Jainism continued to flourish in pockets. This book
presents a special article by noted historian Dr.A.H. Nizami
on the impact of Muslim rule on the Jaina Dharma and
Jaina monkshood, especially the establishment of the
Bhattaraka tradition in South and Western India. The
following article by Dr. Surendra Gopal describes the social
and economic status of the Jaina community in the medieval
era. Articles by Dr. S.S. Nigam and Dr. Prakashchandra
Jain throw light on the life and times of the Jaina community
of that time.

The Chapter-wise contents are as follows:

Volume One: Mahavir ke Purva Jaina Dharma aur Uska Kala
--------------------------------------------------------------

1. Mahavira Svami se Purva Jaina Dharma

2. Sadhana Srota
Mahavira Yuga
Uttara Mahavira Yuga

3. Bhagavan Mahavira ka jivana vrttanta

4. Bhagavan Mahavira ke upadesha

5. Bhagavan Mahavira ka yuga
Mahavira ke samakalina Dharmanayaka aur samakalina pantha
Rajanitika Itihasa tatha sansthayen
Rajanitika sansthayen
Samajika dasha
Arthika dasha
Kala aur sthapatya
Shiksha, Sahitya aur Vijñana

Bibliography

Volume Two: Jaina Dharma ka Aitihasika Sarvekshana aur Prasara
--------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Jaina Dharma ka prasara evam aitihasika mahattva

7. Jaina sadhu, rajanitijña aur shravaka

8. Jaina Dharma ki Bharatiya sanskrti ko dena

9. Dharmika vibhajana

10. Samajika vibhajana

11. Jaina Dharma ka patan aur astitva

Bibliography

Volume Three : Madhyakalina Jaina Dharma
---------------------------------------------

12. Madhyakalina Jaina Dharma

13. Pracina Jaina Tirtha aur Aitihasika Sthal, Manacitra

14. Bhattaraka Sampradaya

15. Madhya yuga me Jaino ka arthika jivana

16. Madhyakala me Jaina ka samajika jivana

17. Madhyakalina Bharat me Jaina Dharma

18. Uttara Madhyakalina Malva me Jaina Dharma

Bibliography
--

This book is a great work. The author has taken great pains
to stick to a non-sectarian approach. The set of books is
beautifully bound, printed on excellent paper and has a very
attractive dust jacket. The one thing that could be improved
upon, is the proof reading. For instance, Shivarya is spelt as
Shivartha. Shri Vadideva Suri is printed as Vadi Shri Deva
Suri.

However, overall, this is a very interesting work, a huge
amount of information has been presented in a succinct
manner in very simple language. A must read for scholars,
ascetics and the laity.

The author, Prof. Kailash Chand Jain is a distinguished
historian who has published works such as "Pre-History &
Proto-History of India"; "Jainism in Rajasthan"; "Ancient
Cities & Towns of Rajasthan"; "Malva Through the Ages";
"Lord Mahavira & His Times"; "Kalidasa & His Times";
"Madhya Pradesh Through the Ages" and "Pracin Bharat
me Samajik tatha Arthik Sansthayen".

He was Senior Fellow of the Indian Council of Historical
Research (1990 - 93). This is his latest and most
comprehensive work on Jaina history.

|| sarvatra shubhamastu ||
Manish

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