Know Your Jain Community
The Pride of Jains:
Mahavira, was a well-known 9th century Jain mathematician. He separated astrology from mathematics. Ganitasarasangraha, his contribution, is the earliest Indian text entirely devoted to mathematics.
Chandragupta Maurya - Founder of the Mauryan empire. It was the largest empire in Indian history. He was the first emperor to unify India (322 BC to 298 BC).
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the Indian film director belongs to the Jain community. He won the Filmfare Best Director Award for the super hit Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela in 2013.
In 2006, Devaki Jain, the feminist Indian writer was awarded the Padma Bhusan and the third highest civilian award from the Government of India for her contribution to social justice and women empowerment.
Sunder Lal Patwa, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, India (1980). He was awarded the "Vidhan Gaurav" at the All India Conference of Presiding Officers in 1989.
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (1919 - 1971), the Indian physicist known as the father of India's space program. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan in 1971.
Did you Know?
Jains have the highest degree of literacy amongst religious communities in India (94.1 percent).
The Jain manuscript libraries are the oldest libraries in India namely in Patan (Gujarat) and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).
The largest population of Jains is concentrated in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The Sittanavasal cave temple is regarded as one of the finest examples of Jain art. It is the oldest and most famous Jain center. Also known as Arivar Koil it is a 2nd-century Jain complex of caves in Sittanavasal village in Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu, India.
