[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947) › c2 # Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c2: Preface Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c2 - **Language:** English ### Preface ### [c2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.1) When I began to study the Jain canons way back in 1939, I had no idea of the difficulties that lay on my path. But at the very outset, I found that a large number of canonical texts were either out of print or were not easily available for study. For, whatever canons are available, are hardly adequately edited, and have no index. Very few canons have been translated into English, and some of the important ones are still in manuscript form. However, I plunged myself into the deep ocean of the Jain Āgamas and I struck at the waves of undiscovered knowledge. I completed the first reading of the canons, and found many difficult passages unintelligible due to corrupt texts. ### [c2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.2) About this time I paid a visit to the Jain Bhandars of Patan, North Gujerat, where I read out my notes on the subject to Muni Punyavijayaji, a renowned scholar of the Jain Āgamas. During my stay in Patan, Muniji helped me in all possible ways for which I shall ever remain grateful to him. ### [c2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.3) When my study was over, I was contemplating writing a thesis when the Freedom Struggle of 1942 started. The Government of India arrested people without discretion and I too was arrested, and taken away from a world of scholars to a world of detenus. ### [c2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.4) When I left the detenu camp, I found myself a totally changed man. There was left in me very little inclination for a serious work like the present one. However, at the instance of those whose wish is a command, I made up my mind to complete the work on the strength of which I got my degree from the University of Bombay in February, 1945. I have since been revising my thesis and checking up references. The title "Social Life in Ancient India as depicted in the Jain Canons" has been changed into "Life in Ancient India as depicted in the Jain Canons." The chapters on Geography, and Kings and Dynasties have been placed last, detailing only the important places and rulers. While revising the thesis more parallel references, particularly from the Mahābhārata, the Rāmāyaṇa, the Jātakas and the Atthakathās, have been added. ### [c2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.5) The Jain Āgamas have been described as "dry as dust" by some scholars, and perhaps that is the reason why this literature has not received the attention of scholars that it deserves. It must be mentioned that in order to have a thorough understanding of Indian culture and civilisation, the study of the Jain Āgamas is as important as that of the Brahmanic and the Buddhist literatures. ### [c2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.6) So far, with reference to social life, no scholar has utilised the material reflected in the Jain canons. In the present work I have made an attempt to include all such available material for the first time I acknowledge that in preparing this work I was, undoubtedly, guided by other scholars, who have been working in the field in the past Particular mention may be made here of the Cheda Sūtras, which, although forming a part of the Jain canonical literature, yet remained hitherto unstudied. This literature is really very important from the point of view of social history of the ancient Indian people. In these Sūtras we come across various customs and usages prevalent in different parts of India, the study of which will be certainly helpful in writing the history of the development of the Jain ascetic order. ### [c2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.7) I am indebted to all the authors whose works I have utilised in the present work, and I would like to make special mention of Mr. Ratilal Mehta’s \*Pre-Buddhist India\* which I have freely referred to. ### [c2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.8) While I was writing this thesis I had the good fortune to receive the able guidance of Dr G. S. Ghurye, M A., Ph D., Head of the Department of Sociology, the School of Economics and Sociology, University of Bombay. I am grateful to him for his assistance. ### [c2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.9) I cannot adequately thank Dr. Motichand, M.A., Ph.D., the Curator of the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay, for helping me in preparing this thesis. But for his valuable aid I would not have been able to complete my work. Dr. Motichand even went through the major portion of my manuscript before it was sent to the press. I particularly appreciate his endeavours to assist me despite the numerous calls on his time and I cannot easily forget his kindness. Dr Vasudeva Sharan Agrawala, M.A., Ph D., the Curator of the Central Museum, New Delhi, read over the geographical section of my book, for which I am grateful to him ### [c2.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.10) My sincere thanks are also due to Prof. F. D’Souza, M A., Professor of English, Siddhartha College, Bombay, Prof B. Miranda, M A., Professor of English, Ramnarain Ruia College, Bombay, and Professor L Rodrigues, M A , Head of the Department of English, Siddhartha College, Bombay, for assisting me in reading the proofs and making useful suggestions. ### [c2.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.11) I must also thank Sahu Shriyans Prasadji Jain, Director of the Dalmia Cement Co., Ltd., Bombay, and Shri Harikrishnadasji Jain, Contractor, Bombay, for the help they gave me, and my daughter Chakresh for preparing the Index. ### [c2.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.12) Mr. P. F. Taraporevala, the Director of the New Book Co., Ltd., Bombay, deserves my thanks for undertaking to publish my book, when many publishers in India had declined on the plea that the book failed to be a business proposition. ### [c2.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.13) Miss S. A. Bliss, the Manager of the Examiner Press, Bombay, took personal interest in the printing of my Book. She really went out of her way to rush the print through the press and I am very grateful to her. ### [c2.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.14) I am also indebted to the authorities of the Ramnarain Ruia College for allowing me to purchase the books for reference ### [c2.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.15) The author received from the University of Bombay a substantial grant towards the cost of publication of this book which he is happy to acknowledge. ### [c2.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.16) 28, Shivaji Park, Bombay 28 } October, 1947 ### [c2.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.17) JAGDISH CHANDRA JAIN ### [c2.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.18) BIBLIOGRAPHY(with abbreviations) ### [c2.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2.19) Bhā.=Bhāṣya. Com.=Commentary. Cū.=Cūrṇi. Nir.=Niryukti. Pi.=Pīṭhikā. Sū.=Sūtra. Vṛ.=Vṛtti. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jain-1947.c2) · Pramāṇa