Digambar Jain Mahasabha

Digambar Jain Mahasabha is oldest Jain organization of lay Jains in India.

It was founded in 1894 at Mathura. [Trilokchand Kothari, Di. Jain Mahasabha ka Atit (1895-1980), Pub. Digambar Jain Mahasabha karyalaya, 2007] Its first president was Seth Laxmandas Tongya of Mathura, from the famous Seth family of Mathura. It is regarded to be a traditionalist organization. [Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, By Vilas Adinath Sangave Published 2001, Popular Prakashan. ] Its two main branches are Dharm Sanrakshini Mahasabha and Teerth Sanrakshini Mahasabha.

In 1941, the leadership of the mahasabha was handed over by Sir Seth Hukumchand of Indore to Sir Seth Bhagchand Soni at Shravanabelagola convention. [http://web.archive.org/web/20020905051123/www.dsmahasabha.com/s.htm table of Presidents since 1894] Later leaders included Seth Rajkumar Singh, Bhanvarilala Bakliwal, Raisahab Chandmal Pandya and Likhamichand Chhabra. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20021130215144/http://www.dsmahasabha.com/ "Jain ! Shree Bharatvarshiya Digamber Jain (Dharma Sangrakshani) Mahasabha" ] ] [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20030218152447/http://www.dsmahasabha.com/ex_president.htm "Jain ! Shree Bharatvarshiya Digamber Jain (Dharma Sangrakshani) Mahasabha" ] ]

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India was a guest of the Mahasaba on 16th April 1950. [Dr Rajendra Prasad: Correspondence and Select Documents : Presidency Period, edited by Valmiki Choudhary, Published 1992, Allied Publishers]

"Jain Gazette", a weekly publication of Dharm Sanrakshini Mahasabha has been published regularly for the last 103 years. It is the oldest Jain periodical. [http://www.digjainmahasabha.org Shri Bharatiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha ]

Magazine Jain Mahiladharsh now in its 76th year, was founded by Brahmacharini Chandabai of Arrah.

ee also

* Mula Sangh
* Kashtha Sangh
* Chandabai

References