Oswalotpatti Vishayak Shankao Ka Samadhan

This Jain text, "Oswalotpatti Vishayak Shankao Ka Samadhan" (Resolution of Doubts Regarding the Origin of Oswals) by Gyansundar Maharaj, published by Ratnaprabhakar Gyanpushpamala, aims to clarify the historical origins of the Oswal community and address common misconceptions.

The author begins by emphasizing that Jainism is a universal religion, not tied to any specific caste or community. He highlights that in the time of Bhagavan Mahavir, people from all four varnas (castes) were his followers. The text then delves into the historical context of the caste system's degeneration, leading to societal divisions. Bhagavan Mahavir's teachings aimed to unite people, and his followers came from diverse backgrounds.

The book's central theme is to establish the historical timeline of the Oswal community's origins, countering various doubts and theories. The author stresses the difficulty in establishing precise historical facts due to the destruction of historical records during periods of Muslim rule. Despite these challenges, he asserts that research and archaeological findings are shedding light on Jain history.

Key arguments and resolutions of doubts presented in the text include:

• The Origin of the Oswal Name: The text strongly argues that the name "Oswal" is an evolved form of "Upkesh," derived from the ancient city of Upkeshpur (modern Osian). It suggests that the name "Oswal" likely emerged around the 12th century CE as the pronunciation of Upkeshpur transformed into "Oshian." Therefore, tracing the origin of the name "Oswal" to periods before the 12th century is considered anachronistic.
• The Role of Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri: The book firmly establishes Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri as the founder of the "Mahajan Sangha" (later known as Upkesh Vansh and then Oswal Vansh) in Upkeshpur. This event is dated approximately 70 years after Bhagavan Mahavir's Nirvana (around 400 BCE). The author cites various ancient texts, Patawalias (genealogical records), and inscriptions to support this claim.
• Addressing Misconceptions about Utpaldev: A significant portion of the book addresses the confusion between two historical figures named Utpaldev. It clarifies that Utpaldev, the prince from Shrimal Nagar who founded Upkeshpur, was distinct from Utpaldev Parmar of Abu. The former's association with the founding of Upkeshpur and the Oswal community is emphasized, refuting claims that he was a Parmar and linking him to a later period. The author meticulously analyzes inscriptions and historical texts to differentiate between these two figures and their respective time periods.
• The Age of the Oswal Community: Based on the founding of the Mahajan Sangha by Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri, the text argues that the Oswal community's origins date back to around the 5th century BCE (70 years after Mahavir Nirvana). It refutes theories that place their origin in the 10th or 11th century CE. The author emphasizes that the lack of "Oswal" inscribed in earlier records is natural, as the name evolved over time from "Mahajan Sangha" to "Upkesh Vansh" and eventually to "Oswal."
• The 18 Gotras: The text discusses the origin of the 18 Oswal gotras, suggesting that the tradition began with 18 "snatriya" (rituals) created during a specific incident at Upkeshpur. It clarifies that these gotras were not necessarily established by Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri but emerged over time due to various reasons, including lineage, occupation, and place of origin. A comparative table of Rajput and Oswal gotras is presented to demonstrate the lack of direct correlation in terms of time and names, dispelling the theory of direct lineage from specific Rajput clans.
• Historical Evidence and Argumentation: The book systematically addresses various doubts and questions raised by different individuals or groups. Each doubt is presented, followed by a detailed refutation supported by historical references, scriptural interpretations, and logical reasoning. The author encourages scholarly debate and further research to solidify these historical findings.

In essence, "Oswalotpatti Vishayak Shankao Ka Samadhan" is a scholarly work that aims to provide a historically sound and scripturally supported account of the Oswal community's origins, highlighting the pivotal role of Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri and the city of Upkeshpur in their establishment. It seeks to correct historical inaccuracies and provide a clear understanding of the community's lineage and name evolution.