Economic Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canonical Literature c2: General Editor's Note
Economic Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canonical Literature c2
- Language
- English
General Editor's Note
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Jain canonical literature is no doubt, one of the earliest and authentic sources of knowledge. It provides a gateway for the study of different aspects of life that was prevalent in ancient India. Economics is an integral part of commerce and as such, the author of this book, Dr. Dinendra Chandra Jain of Faculty of Commerce has studied the Economic Life in Ancient India as depicted in Jain canonical literature.
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The present work amply shows that the author has worked with patience and insight and has presented the economic life of ancient India in an interesting and scholarly manner. I am fully convinced that the work has broken some new ground; and some orginal contribution has been made in the study of economic life in ancient India. The author deserves all praise and congratutations for presenting such a fine piece of research work to the world of scholars. I am sure, this will inspire other scholars to explore other facets of the Jain canonical literature.
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In this work, Dr. Jain has studied and analysed the economic life of ancient India as depicted in Jain canonical literature. The objective of the study is to find out and to present the economic picture of the olden days—some 2500 years ago and to suggest the old good things for the modern complex society.
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The book is divided in seven chapters of which the first one is given to introducing the subject. A brief account of the Jain canonical literature, its emergence, redaction, number, classification, language, period, subject matter, etc. are given which form the background of the study.
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The second chapter deals with the Primary Industres of ancient India. All the primary industries, viz. Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Breeding including Dairy Farming, Fishing, Forestry and Mining have been discussed in a scholarly manner under different heads. It is revealing to find that cultivation in ancient India was done on scientific lines and people knew the technique of agriculture.
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The third chapter studies the Secondary Industries of ancient india in detail. It treats both cottage industries and industries under factory system. Various industries e. g. Textiles, Iron & Steel, Sugar, Crafts based on non-ferrous metals, animal products, forest products, etc. have been covered in detail. It is interesting to find that the country was fairly industrialised at that time and it produced sufficient goods to cater to the needs of the people belonging to different strata of society. The author rightly suggests that the modern entrepreneurs of India should follow the example of ancient business magnets and open work-sheds for the rural weaker section.
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The fourth chapter deals with trade—both inland and foreign. It studies the role of Sārthavāhas (leader of trade caravan), means of transport, ocean going vessels, land and sea routes, composition of inland and foreign trade, custom duties, important trade centres, etc. It is really wonderful to find courageous Sārthavāhas going out on the sea to far off countries like E. Africa and bring Zebras and precious stones from there on vessels driven by winds and man power facing all sorts of sea-hazards. The author has aptly said that they should be remembered as pioneers in the field of foreign trade who brought India in the limelight.
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The fifth chapter is given to the study of Financial System of the olden days in which full care has been taken to examine all the three essential constituents—Banking, Currency and Public Finance. We find that the indigenous type of banking was prevalent in ancient India. Gold, silver and copper coins were minted in those days. Under the head Public Finance the different types of taxes of those days have been discussed elaborately. It discusses the sources of revenue of the Government and the heads of expenditure. The author writes that references about Public Finance of the time tell about the efficacy and efficiency of the financial administration of those days.
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The sixth chapter is devoted to the study of Economic structure—Distributional Aspect. The chapter throws flood light on the distribution of wealth and income in the society and on concentration of economic power in ancient India. It has been found that while on the one side, there was opulence and affluence in the society, on the other, there was dearth and poverty among the masses. It is also seen that the economic power was concentrated in the hands of a few Seṭṭhis, merchants, Śreṇis and vaṇiyās. But it is redeeming to find that they did not use their position only for personal gains rather they took care for the good of the general people too. Some of them were great philanthropists and were guided by the idea of social welfare.
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The concluding chapter (seventh) attempts to give some valuable suggestions which can improve the economic condition of our country.
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The principle of ‘Aparigrah’ (non-possession) if followed today would change the approach of the people and they would not hanker after money. Modern society seeks the remedy of mental illness and dissatisfaction in accumulating more wealth whereas, according to the canonical texts, the solution lies in limiting the needs and foregoing surplus wealth. It is hightime that we take advantage of good points of both the periods—the modern technological one as well as the ancient as depicted in the canonical texts. All these suggestions have made the study quite useful and purposive.
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In the end I would like to thank M/S Ratna Printing Co., Varanasi for taking keen interest in printing the book in time.
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**Dr. Nagendra Prasad** Director, Research Institute of Prakrita, Jainology and Ahimsa, Vaisali This image appears to be a blank page with no printed text.