Anavils
Ahir (Ayar)
Bhil
Charan
Dubala
Jain
Kangashiya
Kapols
Kathi
Khoja
Kharwa-Khalsi
Koli
Lohanas
Mussalmans
Mer
Miyana
Nat-Bajaniya
Naagar
Padhar
Parsis
Patanvadia
Patidars
(Patel)
Rajputs
Rabaris
Sindhis
Sidi
Targala -
Bhavaya
Vanzara
Vadi
Vaghari
Vankar
Vohras |
Jainism is belived to be as old as vedic religion.
The lord Mahavir, the last Tirhankar or prophet of
Jainism inspired the renaissance and brought it back
to life. Jainism saw its dawn of the golden period as
an effective alternative to Brahminism, which was then
lost in innumerable rituals. The period was about 2500
years from now when Jainism and Buddhism spread a wave
of awareness.
The
Jains kept the flames alive in the later stages when
Hinduism was facing dangers from the Muslim agressors.
Many intelligent, authoritative and enterprenuering
gentlemen from this rich and prosperous community in
the post –Mahavir period obtained state-honours,
ministership, army-chief’s position or treasures of
the state-money. The Jain monks went in the quest of
knowledge. They read and studied number of old and
ancient volumes, established reading homes and
libraries, religious schools etc.
The
unique jain-libraries provide enough evidence of
creative and studious approach of the scholars of
those days who contributed through great many volumes
on different subjects like history, politics, grammar,
philosophy, astrology and the like. About 15 lacs of
manuscripts are still available in various libraries.
Probably on other small community has created
so many architectural pieces of exquisite beauty and
grandeur as the Jain community has done. Jain temples
are found practically everywhere in India, the noted
among them are: the Shravana Belgoda in Karnataka, the
Udayagiri and the Khandigiri caves in Orissa, the
Muktagiri and the Kandanpur caves in the Central
India, the Samet Shikhar in Bihar, the Ranakpur
shrines in Rajasthan and the Shetrunjay temples near
Palitana and the Delwada temples in Gujarat. During
the period many jain saints wrote a number of
religious books. The books included not only those on
religion but also on politics, astrology, history,
grammar and philosophy. It may be noted here that more
than 15 lakh manuscripts written by Jain saints and
pundits on various subjects are still well preserved
in the Jain religious and social establishments. King
Kumarpal who occupied the throne of Gujarat then,
dedicated his large kingdom to his great Guru Suri
Shri Hemchandracharya. Since then there has been
profound impact of jains over politics, social life,
economics and commerce. Business and jains are
synonymous. Frugalitry is their outstanding quality,
however, perhaps jains donate more generously for
religious causes than people of any other community.
‘dehrasara’ and jains saints are internal and
inseperable parts of the jain community. Ritualism,
penance or religious austerity and worship are
interwoven with their daliy life.
Every Jains religious ceremony or
activity is evaluated in terms of money. The jains
generally do not believe in making anonymous donations
and perhaps that is the reason why extremely religious
but poor jains are unable to avail themselves of the
benefit of partaing in certain religious activities.
The jains temples and religious places
have a distinguished place in the spread and
propagation of religion, art and culture. That is
perhaps one of the biggest contributions of the jain
community. The religious teaching, cultural awareness
and promotion of art through traditional sculpture and
architecture art the most common feature of jain
community. They contribution of jain community to such
field in the life of Gujarat through the years need
volumes and volumes for elaboration. Gujarat owes its
manifold propriety to Jain community to considerable
extents.
Jain do not believe in the incarnation of
God although in Jainism there are various spiritual
stages of ‘Tranthankar’,’Arihanta’,’Siddha’,’Upadhayaya’
and ‘Sadhu’ Jainism has two sects: (1) Shvetambar and
(2) Dibambar. In gujarat the Dibambar are fewer than
the Shvettambars. The Digambars are found in majority
in the Northern parts of india.
They also have sub-casters like ‘Shrimali’, ‘Oswal’,
‘Porwad or Porwal’, ‘Dasa’ and ‘Visa’.
Thought untouchability has been banned in
law, it is still practised in many castes and
communities in india, but jain have nothing of the
sort. This is indeed a great thing about the jains and
jainism. The jains are a race and not a caste.
The jains, by and large, are a peoperous
race. Business or commerce is their first preference
as economic activity. Even a working jain gentleman
will have some miscellaneous or side business. Women
too do not lag behind in this respect. Even women of
economically well-off the jain families will keep
themselves busy with sort of economic activity- minor
though it may be. The jain are generally steadfast in
following their religious rites and social customs and
remains engrossed in observing the rituals and
traditions.
A jain, as an individual is calculative
and practical in his life but the jains as a society
or a race are benevolent and are always prepared to
assist their community brethern. A large majority of
jains are associated with the textile industry. The
jains enjoy a dominant positions in the jewellery
trade.
The jains have gifted many great
personalties to Gujarat.’ The names of Acharya
Hemchandracharya and Harivijaysuriji are still known
although they lived in middle ages. Late, Shrimad
Rajchandra, Ananddhanji and Yoshovijayi acquired name
and fame. The names of Punyavijayi and Santbalji in
the recent past are too well-known to need
elaboration. Vimalshah, the builder of famous Delwadas
temples near Abu, Vastupal and Tejpal and Bhamasha, a
great philanthropist of his time and a minister in the
court of Rana Pratap were all jains. Shri Premchand
Raychand donated million of rupees for public welfare
and education.
Gujarat ownes its economic properity in a
large measure to Shri Shantidas Nagarsheth, Himabhai,
premabhai, Lalbhai and Katurbhai all jain gentlemen
from Ahemdabad. Besides strengthening the economy of
Gujarat, they have very liberally donated large sums
of money for the welfare of general public. There have
been many great jain personalities also who have made
meaningful contribution in keepingb to torch of
‘Entity of Gujarat’ aflame, the notable among them are
Hutheesinh and Kesersinh Ambalal Sarabhai and his son
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
The establishment known as M/s. Anandji
Kalyanji that looks after the upkeep of the jain
temples is unique in its own way. In the field of
literature there are a few glittering names like those
of Pundit Sukhlaji, Parmanand Kapadia, Chimanlal
Chakubhai, Mohanlal Mehta-‘Sopan’, ‘Chunilal Vardhman
shah Zaverchand Meghani, Chunilal Madia, Jaibhikku and
Vadilal Dagali. The Indian film industry will for ever
remain indebted to Sardar Chandulal and great
musciands Kalyanji and Anandji.
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