History of Kharatargaccha

Summary

The essay 'History of Kharatargaccha' traces the origin and evolution of the Kharatar-gaccha, a major Śvetāmbara monastic order. The author begins by explaining how the epithet 'Kharatar' – meaning 'very true' – was conferred on Jineśvar Sūri by the Caulukya ruler Durlabharāja after the monk triumphed in a debate against Caitya-vāsī ascetics. This victory, recorded in inscriptions and later chronicles, signalled the emergence of a distinct lineage. The narrative then follows the life of Jineśvar Sūri and his successors, including influential figures like Buddhisāgar Sūri and his disciple Dhaneśvar, who composed and propagated religious literature, and Abhayadeva and Droṇācārya, who wrote significant commentaries. Through these biographies the author illustrates how monastic leaders were both scholars and public figures who consecrated temples, engaged in debates and advised rulers. The order’s institutional history is set against a broader socio-political background: the shifting fortunes of cities such as Cittor, Jaisalmer and Anhilvāḍ Pāṭan; the interactions with rulers from the Caulukya and Solanki dynasties; and the migration of monks across Gujarat and Rajasthan. The essay draws on inscriptions, manuscripts and literary sources to reconstruct genealogies and map the geographic spread of the gaccha. It details the succession of later ācāryas – Jinaballabh Sūri, Jinadatt Sūri, Lunakaṛṇa, and Jincandra Sūri – and recounts how they navigated challenges such as political upheavals, debates with rival sects and the need to secure patronage. The author also notes the gaccha’s contributions to literature, including poems and treatises, and its role in popularising the Vidhi-Caitya movement. By highlighting both doctrinal developments and practical activities, the essay shows how the Kharatargaccha shaped lay piety, temple liturgy and Jain scholasticism. The history is presented as an example of the dynamic nature of Jain monastic orders, which adapted to regional conditions while maintaining fidelity to core principles. In summarising centuries of developments, the author provides readers with a concise yet rich account of one of Jainism’s most influential lineages, illustrating the interconnectedness of religious, cultural and political history.