Jain Books in the Library of the Deccan College, Poona
By Chaitan Das Jain
Summary
The Deccan College Library in Poona houses a significant collection of Jain manuscripts, acquired over 16 years (1868–1884), with a detailed 1888 catalogue of 540 pages. The library contains approximately 1,600 Jain books, representing about one-fourth of its total collection, including 1,501 Jain *granthas* (1,245 Swetambar, 256 Digambar). Key highlights include rare manuscripts dating to the 9th century CE, commentaries on major texts like the *Agamas*, and unique works such as *Shabdarnava Chandrika* (on palm leaves) and *Darshan-ratnakar*. Many manuscripts are damaged or incomplete, with some existing as sole copies. Notable acquisitions came from locations like Jaipur, Kashmir, and Patan. The library’s collection aids research into textual alterations and sectarian differences. The author emphasizes the need for financial support to preserve and replicate rare texts, criticizing the underfunding of Jain literary preservation compared to religious expenditures. Efforts by the Swetambar Jain Conference and Bharat Jain Mahamandal are acknowledged, with a call for collaboration to catalog Jain literature nationwide and complete fragmented works.
Conclusion
The Deccan College library's Jain manuscript collection, meticulously assembled over 16 years, stands as a critical repository of Jain knowledge, preserving approximately 1,600 texts—nearly one-quarter of all known Jain literature. This collection, spanning centuries and sourced from across India, offers unparalleled access to rare Digambar and Swetambar manuscripts, many of which are fragmentary or uniquely preserved here. The detailed 1888 catalogue, with its comprehensive indexing and condition notes, enhances scholarly utility, while the presence of rare commentaries and unique copies, such as the palm-leaf *Shabdarnava Chandrika*, underscores the library's irreplaceable role. This treasure trove not only safeguards endangered texts from decay but also facilitates comparative analysis of sectarian variations, making it indispensable for understanding Jain doctrinal evolution and historical continuity.