About the Book As one of the world s major religions, founded on the spiritual principles of ahimsa (non-violence), truth, and righteous conduct, Jainism has today 2,600 years of a splendid living tradition with a well-defined worldview, metaphysics and code of ethics. A leading scholar Dr. Parminder Singh here presents an altogether fresh, pan-Indian historical survey of this great religion, spelling out its beginnings, antiquity, doctrines, tirthankaras, and country wide spread and, among other aspects, its contribution to India s culture and art heritage in all its varied manifestations.
About the Author Dr. Parminder Singh, former Head and Chair Professor (Honorary) at the Department of Religion Philosophy, University of Pune has been in academics for the last four decades. He received his Ph.D. in Commerce from University of Pune (Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Co-operative Management). He worked as Principal for Arts, Science and Commerce Colleges and Director Institute of Management under the aegis of University of Pune and Bharati Vidyapeeth Universities.
Preface The History of India begins with the Indus Valley Civilization and the coming of the Aryans. These two phases are generally described as the pre-Vedic and Vedic periods. The earliest literary source that sheds light on India's past is the Rig Veda. It is difficult to date this work with any accuracy on the basis of tradition and ambiguous astronomical information contained in the hymns. It is most likely that Rig Veda was composed between 1,500 B.C. and 1,000 B.C. In the fifth century, large parts of India were united under Ashoka.
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