The purpose of this Survey is to determine the place of Jainism in the History of Karnataka with a view to ultimately assess its influence on Karnataka Culture. To achieve this object, it is necessary to find evidence of the introduction and spread of Jainism in Karnataka, without overlooking the religious atmosphere of each successive epoch. The religious history of India is different from that of most other countries. Here, it is well to bear in mind that the conversion of a ruler to any creed does not necessarily imply the wholesale conversion of all or even most of his subjects. Nor does patronage of the followers, protagonists, or institutions of any faith indicate conversion in the technical sense. Hence it is very essential to distinguish between Patrons or sympathisers and converts or actual followers. Most of the sectarian histories give an exaggerated picture of the importance and influence of their creeds on account of their failure to recognise this difference.
Another point on which modern scholarship and sentimental orthodoxy have disagreed is that of the antiquity of the introduction of Jainism into the South. Though the Jainas may assert that Mahavira himself had travelled through South India (presumably making converts), and that there were Jainas in the South already when Bhadrabahu migrated to the South from Bihar, under circumstances presently to be discussed, conclusive evidence to bear out these beliefs is lacking. In the absence of such evidence, we must be content to go only as far as the epigraphs allow us, and no farther.
The main substance of the present work formed part of the thesis entitled "Jainism in South India" which was approved by the University of Bombay for confer-ring on me the degree of Master of Arts, in 1928. I am thankful to the University for their kind permission to publish my work in this revised form. Portions in the original dealing with Jainism in South India outside Karnataka have been omitted in the present publication. Likewise, I have considerably revised the chapters incorporated herein both for correcting errors as well as for recasting them so as to suit the changed title. The result has been an all but complete overhauling of the original thesis on account of its new orientation. Though I cannot claim that even now it is impeccable I am hopeful that I have considerably improved upon the original work. Having been otherwise engaged since the thesis was presented to the University, twelve years ago, I sincerely regret I could not find time for a more searching scrutiny. But such as it is, I offer the present work for what it may be worth.
I am indebted to the Karnatak Historical Research Society of Dharwar for the inclusion of this publication in their valuable series. My obligations to Professor A. N. Upadhye, M.A., D. Lit., Professor R. S. Mugali, M.A., B.T., Mr. Ugran Mangesh Rao, Mr. K. P. Jain and Mr. D. P. Karmarkar, M.A., LL.B.
for their very valuable criticisms and suggestions for the improvement of the work are greater than I could express in adequate words. My gratefulness to Rev. H. Heras, S. J., under whom I worked for my original thesis is no less great and sincere.
The views I have expressed are my own. Some of them might appear to be too contentious for dogmatic assertion. Likewise, too, some of my authorities may not be acceptable to all. But I can earnestly plead that I have written without sectarian bias and utilised all the sources available to me to the best of my critical faculty. If my work succeeds in stimulating efforts to supersede it I shall be content.
In commemoration of its Silver Jubilee, the Karnataka Historical Research Society has planned the publication of a series of which the first volume is now being issued to the public. This volume constitutes a review of the Karnataka history of Jainism, particularly in its relationship with the culture of the province. As shown by the writer, for over a thousand years from the first century of the Christian era onwards, Jainism flourished in all parts of the Karnataka and while being itself influenced in several ways, Jainism has left an indelible mark on the growth of the Karnataka Society. The volume deals with the changes Jainism accepted in its history in this Province as well as the many ways in which it affected the thought and life of its people. The author has no prejudices or pre-possessions which a writer who professes a faith finds difficult to avoid in discussing the past achievements of that faith. The knowledge of such a writer is sometimes found to be defective owing to lack of experience and intimate contact. But his advantage is that he can bring an open mind to his study of the history of the faith and that is a great advantage indeed. The author of the volume has bestowed considerable labour on his study of his subject which is characterised by impartiality and breadth of mind.
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