Life In Ancient India As Depicted In Jain Canons

"Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canons" by Jagdishchandra Jain is a comprehensive survey of administrative, economic, social, and geographical aspects of ancient India, drawing extensively from Jain canonical texts. The book aims to provide a detailed picture of life in ancient India, emphasizing the Jain perspective.

Key Themes and Content:

• Jain Canons: The book begins by introducing the Jain canons, classifying them into Angas, Upangas, Painnas, Cheda Sūtras, Nandi, Anuyoga, and Mūla Sūtras. It discusses the historical development, compilation, and authenticity of these texts, acknowledging the challenges posed by corrupt texts and missing portions. The influence of exegetical literature, including commentaries like Nijutti, Bhāsa, Cūrṇi, and Tīkā, is also highlighted.

• Administrative Organization: The text delves into the administrative structure of ancient India as portrayed in Jain canons. It covers:

  • Central Administration: The role of the king, kingship, viceroyalty, succession, and abdication. It also touches upon the complex relationships between kings and princes, often marked by ambition and rivalry.
  • Fiscal Administration: Sources of revenue, taxation, commerce, and other income streams for the state are detailed.
  • Administration of Justice: The judicial system, common legal cases like theft and robbery, and the punishments meted out are discussed. The author notes the corruption and severity of the judicial system in ancient India, despite the preached ideals of impartiality.
  • Military Organization: The book describes the four-fold army (chariots, elephants, cavalry, infantry), warfare tactics, weapons, and the ethics of war.
  • Local Government: The village as the administrative unit, village headmen, and the role of guilds are examined.

• Economic Aspects: The book provides insights into the economic life of ancient India, covering:

  • Production: Primarily focused on agriculture, it discusses methods of ploughing, irrigation, field crops (especially rice), and the storage of grains. It also details the cultivation of horticulture, arboriculture, and various fiber-yielding plants like cotton.
  • Distribution: The text touches upon the distribution of wealth and income, highlighting that the concept of distribution as understood today was less prominent, with factors of production often controlled by the same individuals.
  • Exchange: The book discusses inland and maritime trade, export-import commodities (cloth, horses, pearls, etc.), and the brisk nature of trade through land and water routes. It mentions various trade centers and the practice of merchants forming caravans for safety.
  • Consumption: The primary wants of food, clothing, and shelter are discussed. It elaborates on the types of food, the importance of wine and meat consumption (even in religious contexts under duress), and the various forms of dress. It also highlights the prevalence of luxuries and the stark contrast between the lives of the rich, middle class, and the poor.

• Social Conditions: This section offers a detailed look at the social fabric of ancient India:

  • Social Organization: The distinction between Aryans and non-Aryans, the Varna system (Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras), and the presence of mixed castes are discussed. The book notes the Jain critique of caste while acknowledging its persistence.
  • The Family: The structure of the joint family, the role of the patriarch, and the importance of parents are described. It also covers children's lives, dreams associated with conception, and the period of pregnancy with its cravings.
  • Position of Women: The book presents a complex picture of women's position. While Jain and Buddhist traditions sometimes portray women negatively, there are also numerous examples of devoted and chaste wives, learned women who became teachers, and even female ascetics who achieved spiritual heights. The differing practices in marriage, including arranged marriages, svayamvaras, Gandharva marriages, and the controversial practices like marriage with step-mothers and sisters, are discussed. The dual role of queens as political figures and as potential threats to the king is also noted.
  • Education and Learning: The purpose of education was character formation and cultural preservation. It details the respected role of teachers, student life, the curriculum which included Vedas and various other secular sciences, and the centers of learning like capitals, monasteries, and temples.
  • Arts and Sciences: The book covers the development of various arts and sciences, including writing systems (Brahmi and Kharostri), mathematics, astronomy, astrology, medicines, diseases, and treatments. It also describes archery, music, dance, painting, and sculpture.
  • Religious Conditions: This section explores the religious landscape, detailing the lives of various ascetic orders like the Samana Nigganthas, Sakya Samanas, Tāvasa Samanas, Parivrājaka Samanas, and the Ajivikas. It discusses the motivations for renunciation, the hardships faced by ascetics, their residences, and the interactions with other religious groups and secular authorities. It also touches upon popular deities like Indra, Skanda, Rudra, Nāga, Jakkha, and Bhūta, and the corresponding festivals and shrines.
  • Manners and Customs: This extensive chapter covers magic and superstitions, the role of charms and spells, and various folk beliefs. It also discusses sports and amusements, funeral rites, and the precarious position of nuns. The meticulous rules governing the lives of Jain monks and nuns, including their diet, conduct, and the exceptional circumstances under which some rules could be bent, are also detailed.

• Geographical Material: The Jain canons provide a wealth of geographical information, albeit with elements of mythology. The book attempts to present this in a systematic, alphabetical lexicon, identifying places mentioned in the texts with modern locations where possible. It covers the Jain conception of the world, the "Aryan countries" (areas influenced by Jainism), and Mahavira's itinerary, acknowledging the difficulty in precisely identifying many ancient locations.

• Kings and Dynasties: The book lists important kings and rulers mentioned in Jain texts, often comparing them with accounts in Brahmanic and Buddhist traditions. It notes the challenges in historical identification and the tendency for rulers to be claimed by multiple religious traditions, reflecting a general religious tolerance of the time. The genealogies and significant events related to rulers like Seniya, Kūnika, Pajjoya, Udayana, and Candragupta are discussed. The "Sixty-Three Great Men" (Shalaka Purushas) of Jain tradition, including the Tirthankaras, Chakravartins, Baladevas, Vasudevas, and Prativāsudevas, are also introduced.

In essence, "Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canons" is a valuable resource for understanding ancient Indian society through the lens of Jain scriptures, offering a rich tapestry of information on its various facets, despite the inherent challenges of interpreting religious texts for historical purposes.