The Mahayatra - Part 1
The Mahayatra Introduction In the early years of 17th Century, most parts of the Indian subcontinent were under the rule of Mughal emperor Jahangir. Jains had gained significant access and built up cordial relations in the Mughal court following Gujarat's absorption into the Mughal Empire in the 1570’s. Jahangir’s father and predecessor, Emperor Akbar met Acharya Shri Hiravijaysuri in 1582 after hearing about the monk’s legendary wisdom and religious devotion and bestowed the Acharya with the title of “ Jagad-guru ” (Preceptor of the World). Thereafter several monks like Acharya Jinchandrasuri, Acharya Jinsinhsuri, Ganivarya Bhanuchandra, Acharya Vijaysensuri and Acharya Siddhichandrasuri graced the Mughal courts of Akbar and Jahangir. They championed policies that lessened violence against animals, banished Jiziya (religious tax) and gained ownership of Jain pilgrimage centres. Jain monks at the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar During this era, in 1613 AD ( Vikram Samvat 1669 ),