Report on Research in Jainology in Indian Universities
Summary
The article "Report on Research in Jainology in Indian Universities," compiled by Gokul Chandra Jain, documents the state of Jainological research across Indian universities as of January 1970. The text functions as a comprehensive catalog of completed and ongoing doctoral and D.Litt. dissertations, detailing the specific subjects, academic affiliations, and publication status of the researchers involved. The primary subject of the research is the diverse field of Jainology, encompassing the study of Jain history, literature, philosophy, and culture. The main argument is implicitly that Indian universities are actively producing a substantial body of scholarly work in Jain studies, with a notable concentration of research on classical texts, regional history, and the contributions of specific Jain authors and thinkers. The evidence presented consists of extensive lists of researchers and their projects. For completed degrees, the text names scholars such as Chaudhury Gulab Chandra, who researched the political history of Northern India from Jain sources, and Jain Bhag Chandra, who examined Jainism in Buddhist literature. It also lists numerous other researchers, including Jain Gokul Chandra, Jain Jagdish Chandra, and Mehta Mohan Lal, each focusing on specific texts and themes like the cultural study of Somadeva's *Yasastilaka*, life in ancient India as depicted in Jaina canons, and Jaina psychology. The article further outlines research currently in progress for both D.Litt. and Ph.D. degrees at institutions like Agra University, Banaras Hindu University, Indore University, and Vikram University. These ongoing projects cover topics ranging from the political systems of Maurya-period Jain emperors and the comparative study of Hindu and Jain puranas to the analysis of Apabhrams literature, the history of Jain temples in western India, and the development of Jainism in Madhya Pradesh. The sources discussed are primarily the traditional and medieval Jain texts themselves, including the *Agamas*, the *Paumacariu*, the *Ramayana* by Tulsi, the *Trisastisalaka Mahapuran*, and various regional chronicles. The text serves as a directory of academic output, highlighting the institutional and geographical spread of Jainological inquiry in India at the time.
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Conclusion
This report highlights a significant expansion of Jainological research across Indian universities, demonstrating a robust academic engagement with the subject. The key findings reveal a diverse spectrum of scholarly inquiry, from the political history and cultural studies of ancient texts to the philosophical analysis of core doctrines and the literary contributions of Jain poets. The implications of this research are substantial, as it underscores the institutionalization of Jain studies within higher education, fostering a deeper, critical understanding of the tradition. The significance of this academic activity lies in its preservation and critical examination of a vital component of Indian heritage, ensuring its continued relevance through rigorous, university-based scholarship.