Book Review: A Comprehensive History of Jainism Vol II (1000 A.D. to 1600 A.D.)

Summary

Jyoti Prasad Jain’s book review examines Dr. Asim Kumar Chatterjee’s “A Comprehensive History of Jainism, Volume II,” which covers the period 1000–1600 A.D. The reviewer first outlines Chatterjee’s credentials as a reader in Calcutta University’s Department of Ancient History and Culture and notes his earlier works, including Volume I of the serieshttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=The%20learned%20author%2C%20Dr,Buddhist%20India. Volume I attempted a continuous history of Jainism up to 1000 A.D., discussing Parsvanatha and Mahavira, the spread of Jainism across India, the Svetambara and Digambara literatures and prominent thinkershttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=In%20Volume%20I%20of%20the,XIV%29%20Jain%20Thinkers. Volume II continues the narrative for the next six centuries in seven chapters. In Section A of Chapter 1, Chatterjee surveys eminent Jain gurus and laymen and the patronage they received from the Solanki/Caulukya kings and Baghela rulershttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=In%20the%20present%20volume%20II,sources%2C%20epigraphical%20records%20and%20secondary. Section B (pages 39–54) treats Jainism in Rajasthan between 1000 and 1300https://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=In%20the%20present%20volume%20II,1300%20A.D. The reviewer deems Chapter I well‑documented but criticises the approach adopted in Chapter II, which examines Jainism in South India (1000–1300 A.D.). Chatterjee changes his pattern and organises the discussion district‑by‑district, relying on epigraphic records for Gulbarga, Raichur, Bijapur, Belgaum, Dharwar, Shimoga, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Hassan, Mandya and Mysorehttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=%281000,Jain%20inscriptions%20of%20the%20period. Jyoti Prasad Jain argues that this pick‑and‑choose method sacrifices coherence and continuity and fails to provide a dynasty‑wise or reign‑wise narrativehttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=with%20Karnataka%2C%20which%20happily%20abounds,wise%20emerges.%20We. Chapter III, covering Jainism in North India from 1300–1600 A.D., is seen as sketchy; while it lists areas such as Gujarat, Rajasthan and other northern regions, it omits notable laymen like Bhamā Shah and reformers such as Taranaswami, Lonka Shah and Kadua Shahhttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=Ch,have%20also%20not%20been%20mentioned. Chapter IV continues the South Indian narrative into the Vijayanagar period (1300–1600 A.D.) but repeats the earlier pattern and fails to highlight the empire’s contributions to Jainismhttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=Ch,not%20been%20duly%20brought%20out. Chapters V and VI discuss Svetambara and Digambara literature of 1000–1600 A.D. Out of roughly 300 known Svetambara authors, only about 50 are mentioned; of more than 600 Digambara authors, only thirty‑six are listedhttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=26%20Ch.%20V%20%28pp.%20208,was%20no%20dearth%20of%20material. The reviewer observes that ample material is available and accessible, so the selective treatment appears arbitrary. He suggests arranging the material chronologically or by language/subject rather than under sectarian headshttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=for%20these%20two%20chapters%2C%20and,times%20is%20different%20from%20writers. Chapter VII provides brief notices of 290 Jain tirthas (holy places) but omits numerous important sites such as Ahar, Banpur, Candpur, Canderi, Dubkund, Dudhai, Gyaraspur and Udayagirihttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=Ch.%20VII%20%28pp.%20283,Dubkund%2C%20Dudhai%2C%20Gyaraspur%2C%20Kargaom%2C%20Papaura. Throughout the book, the reviewer notes confusion of identities, contradictions, discrepancies, printing errors, poor paper and an excessive pricehttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=After%20a%20perusal%20of%20the,Jainism%2C%20which%20is%20yet%20a. Consequently, he concludes that the volume is compiled in a slip‑shod manner and does not live up to its titlehttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=as%20every%20knowledgeable%20reader%20would,which%20is%20yet%20a%20desideratum. Despite these criticisms, Jyoti Prasad Jain acknowledges that Chatterjee’s work is a welcome addition to historical literature on Jainism and deserves congratulationshttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=Notwithstanding%20its%20defects%2C%20shortcomings%2C%20failings,in%20which%20he%20proposes%20to. He expresses hope that the forthcoming Volume III, which will address Jain philosophy and art, will offer a more comprehensive treatmenthttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1984_07/520075#:~:text=Notwithstanding%20its%20defects%2C%20shortcomings%2C%20failings,discuss%20Jain%20Philosophy%20and%20Art.