Bharatvarsh Ka Itihas Aur Jain Dharm

This document, titled "Bharatvarsh ka Itihas aur Jain Dharm" (History of India and Jain Dharma) by Bhagmalla Jain, published by Shree Sangh Patna, and dated 1928 (Vikram Samvat 1985, Veer Samvat 2454), is a critical review of how Jainism was presented in various history books written for educational purposes in India.

The main purpose of this book is to highlight and correct inaccuracies and misleading information about Jainism found in contemporary historical texts. The author, through the work of the Shri Atmanand Jain Sabha, Ambala City, aims to ensure that the historical accounts of Jainism are presented accurately to students and the general public.

The book is structured as a detailed critique of several history books. For each book reviewed, the author:

• Identifies the Book and Authors: Provides the title, author(s), publisher, and intended audience (e.g., for schools, for nationalistic view, for children).
• Presents the Jain Content: Quotes or summarizes the sections dealing with Jainism, particularly the life and teachings of Lord Mahavira.
• Critiques the Inaccuracies: Lists specific points that are considered incorrect, misleading, or offensive to Jain sentiments. These often include:
  • Misrepresenting Mahavira as the founder of Jainism, rather than the 24th Tirthankara.
  • Claiming Mahavira joined an order founded by Parshvanath and then broke away to start his own system.
  • Misrepresenting Jain beliefs about God, souls in inanimate objects, and the relationship between Jain sects.
  • Incorrectly stating practices of Jain monks and nuns, such as covering their mouths.
  • Incorrect historical timelines regarding image worship or the origins of Jainism.
• Provides Corrections and Evidence: Offers the correct historical and doctrinal information from Jain scriptures, as well as references from Western scholars like Mrs. Sinclair Stevenson and the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Indian scholars.
• Details Efforts for Correction: Explains the correspondence and efforts made by the Shri Atmanand Jain Sabha with the authors and publishers to rectify these errors. It highlights successful revisions and ongoing efforts.
• Includes Correspondence and Publications: Reproduces letters, notices, and published articles related to the critiques, demonstrating the extensive efforts to address the inaccuracies.

Key Themes and Critiques:

• The Founder of Jainism: A major recurring issue is the portrayal of Mahavira as the founder of Jainism. The book emphasizes that Jainism is an ancient religion with a lineage of 24 Tirthankaras, with Rishabhadeva (Adinath) as the first and Mahavira as the 24th and last. Mahavira is presented as a reformer and re-establisher of the faith.
• Misrepresentation of Jain Beliefs: Several books are criticized for misrepresenting Jain philosophy, such as the belief in souls in all living beings (which the authors sometimes distort to include "lifeless" objects), the nature of God (Jains believe in Godhood, but not a creator God), and the relationship between the Svetambara and Digambara sects (often described as being on "very bad terms," when the reality is more nuanced).
• Historical Accuracy: Errors regarding the timeline of image worship, the number of Jinas worshipped (stated as 12 instead of 24), and the historical context of Jainism in relation to other Indian religions are pointed out.
• The Role of Western Scholarship: The book notes that many Indian authors relied heavily on Western scholars, whose interpretations were sometimes flawed or incomplete, leading to the perpetuation of errors.
• Advocacy for Accurate Representation: The primary goal is to ensure that historical narratives do not create misconceptions about Jainism, especially among young learners. The book champions the need for Jain scholars and followers to be involved in the review and correction of historical accounts.

Specific Book Critiques Mentioned:

The book details the review and correspondence regarding several publications, including:

1. "Highroads of Indian History - Book Second" by H. L. O. Garret and Ch. Abdul-Hamid Khan: This book faced significant criticism for inaccuracies about Mahavira's role, Jain beliefs, and practices. The Sabha's detailed critique led to the publisher agreeing to revise the chapter.
2. "Bharat ka Dharmik Itihas" (Religious History of India) by Pt. Shivshankar Mishra: Criticized for a highly inaccurate and even laughable depiction of Jainism and its Tirthankaras, including a distorted image of Adinath. The author did not respond to initial attempts at correction.
3. "Dastan-e-Hind" (Stories of India) Part I by Khan Bahadur Syed Maqbool Shah and Sheikh Muhammad Nazir: Also found to contain errors similar to "Highroads," leading to correspondence and a commitment from the publishers for revision.
4. "Bharatvarsh ka Itihas" (History of India) Part I by Lala Lajpat Rai: Faced objections for its portrayal of Jainism. The author agreed to review and make necessary changes in the second edition, though the process was lengthy.
5. "Bharatvarsh ka Itihas" (History of India) Part I by Shriyut Brajamohan Sharma: Critiqued for misrepresenting the origins of Jainism and its philosophical independence from the Upanishads. The author agreed to consider corrections.

In essence, "Bharatvarsh ka Itihas aur Jain Dharm" serves as a testament to the dedicated efforts of the Jain community and the Shri Atmanand Jain Sabha to ensure the accurate and respectful representation of Jainism in historical education, highlighting the importance of critical engagement with historical texts and advocating for truth and accuracy.