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{{Short description|Indian Jain community}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2023}}
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{{Jainism}}
{{Jainism}}
'''Agrawal Jains''' are an Indian [[Jain community]] who originated from [[Hisar, Haryana]].
'''Agrawal Jains''' are an Indian [[Jain community]] who originated from [[Agroha (town)|Agroha]] near [[Hisar (city)|Hisar]]<nowiki/>in what is now the state of [[Haryana]]. In [[Sanskrit]] inscriptions and texts, the community is termed Agrotakanvaya.
 
==Legends==
According to texts from the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] period preserved in Delhi temple libraries, the emergence of the [[Agrawal]]s is associated with Lohacharya and the [[Kashtha Sangh]]. Lohacharya arrived at Agroha in [[Vikram Samvat]] 760. He was given food by the local people and he founded the Kashtha Sangh order by installing a wooden idol. The Kashtha Sangh religious order has thus been closely associated with the Agrawal community.{{cn|date=February 2016}}
 
According to some legends, Agrawals were once ruled by a Raja Divakar who was a devout Jain.{{cn|date=February 2016}}


==History==
==History==
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The Agrawal merchant [[Nattal Sahu]] and the Agrawal poet [[Vibudh Shridhar]] lived during the rule of [[Tomara dynasty|Tomara]] Anangapal of Yoginipur (now Mehrauli, near Delhi).<ref>An Early Attestation of the Toponym Ḍhillī, by Richard J. Cohen, Journal of the American Oriental Society,  1989, p. 513-519</ref> Vibudh Shridhar wrote Pasanahacariu in 1132, which includes a historical account of Yoginipur (early Delhi near [[Mehrauli]]) then.
The Agrawal merchant [[Nattal Sahu]] and the Agrawal poet [[Vibudh Shridhar]] lived during the rule of [[Tomara dynasty|Tomara]] Anangapal of Yoginipur (now Mehrauli, near Delhi).<ref>An Early Attestation of the Toponym Ḍhillī, by Richard J. Cohen, Journal of the American Oriental Society,  1989, p. 513-519</ref> Vibudh Shridhar wrote Pasanahacariu in 1132, which includes a historical account of Yoginipur (early Delhi near [[Mehrauli]]) then.


In 1354, [[Firuz Shah Tughluq]] started the construction of a new city near Agroha called ''Hisar-e Feroza'' "Firuz's Fort". Most of the raw material for building the town was brought from Agroha.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010818/windows/slice.htm |title=The story of Hisar |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date=2001-08-18 |accessdate=2011-11-12}}</ref> Hisar was a major center of the Agrawal community.
In 1354, [[Firuz Shah Tughluq]] started the construction of a new city near Agroha called ''Hisar-e Feroza'' "Firuz's Fort". Most of the raw material for building the town was brought from Agroha.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010818/windows/slice.htm |title=The story of Hisar |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date=2001-08-18 |access-date=2011-11-12}}</ref> Hisar was a major center of the Agrawal community.


Some Agrawals rose to good positions in Mughal period, specially during Akbar. [[Sahu Todar]] was a supervisor of the royal mint at [[Agra]], who had rebuilt the 514 [[Jain stupa]]s at [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] in 1573, during the rule of Akbar.<ref name="ReferenceA">Jyotiprasad Jain, Pramukh Jain Etihasik Purush aur mahilayen, Bharatiya Jnanapitha, 1975</ref>
Some Agrawals rose to good positions in Mughal period, specially during [[Akbar]]. [[Sahu Todar]] was a supervisor of the royal mint at [[Agra]], who had rebuilt the 514 [[Jain stupa]]s at [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] in 1573, during the rule of Akbar.


[[Sah Ranveer Singh]] was a royal treasurer during the rule of Akbar. He established the town [[Saharanpur]]. His father as well as son and grandson had built several Jain temples,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> including the one at Kucha Sukhanand in [[Delhi]].
[[Sah Ranveer Singh]] was a royal treasurer during the rule of Akbar. He established the town [[Saharanpur]]. His father as well as son and grandson had built several Jain temples, including the one at Kucha Sukhanand in [[Delhi]].{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}


===Agrawal Jains in Rajput Kingdoms===
===Agrawal Jains in Rajput Kingdoms===
Many Agrawals migrated to [[Rajasthan]]. They form a large fraction of the merchant population of Shekhawati region. Along with Maheshwari, Khandelwal they form the Marwari bania community.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}


In the early 15th century, Agrawals flourished as a trader community under the [[Tomaras of Gwalior]].<ref name="ReferenceB">Kashtha Sangha Bhattarakas of Gwalior and Agrawal Shravakas, Dr. K. C. Jain</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2013}}
In the early 15th century, Agrawals flourished as a trader community under the [[Tomaras of Gwalior]].<ref name="ReferenceB">Kashtha Sangha Bhattarakas of Gwalior and Agrawal Shravakas, Dr. K. C. Jain</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2013}}


Historian K.C. Jain comments:
Historian K.C. Jain comments:
{{cquote|Golden Age of the Jain Digambar Church in Gwalior under the Tomara rulers inspired by the Kashtha Bhattarakas and their Jain Agrawal disciples who dominated the Court of father and son viz. Dungar Singh (1425-59)and Kirti Singh (1459-80) with the Poet-Laureate [[Raighu]] as their mouthpiece and spokesman, a centenarian author of as many as thirty books, big and small of which two dozen are reported to be extant today. Verify the advent of the Hisar-Firuza-based Jain Agrawals who functioned as the ministers and treasurers of the ruling family had turned the Rajput State of Gwalior into a Digambara Jain Centre par excellence representing the culture of the Agrawal multi-millionner shravakas as sponsored by them.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>}}
{{cquote|Golden Age of the Jain Digambar Church in Gwalior under the Tomara rulers inspired by the Kashtha Bhattarakas and their Jain Agrawal disciples who dominated the Court of father and son viz. Dungar Singh (1425–1459) and Kirti Singh (1459–1480) with the Poet-Laureate [[Raighu]] as their mouthpiece and spokesman, a centenarian author of as many as thirty books, big and small of which two dozen are reported to be extant today. Verify the advent of the Hisar-Firuza-based Jain Agrawals who functioned as the ministers and treasurers of the ruling family had turned the Rajput State of Gwalior into a Digambara Jain Centre par excellence representing the culture of the Agrawal multi-millionner shravakas as sponsored by them.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>}}


In the 15th century, many Agrawals migrated to [[Amer, Rajasthan|Amer]] kingdom (now [[Jaipur]]). In VS 1535, Agrawal Nenasi conducted a [[Panch-kalyanak Pratishtha]] ceremony at [[Sanganer]].<ref>Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan, R.V. Somani, 1982</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2013}} A copy of Amarsen Chariu copied in VS 1577 at [[Sonipat]] was found at Amer, suggesting that Agrawals took sacred texts with them during this migration.<ref>Amarasena Chariu, Dr. Kasturchand Jain Suman, 1990</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2013}}
In the 15th century, many Agrawals migrated to [[Amer, Rajasthan|Amer]] kingdom (now [[Jaipur]]). In VS 1535, Agrawal Nenasi conducted a [[Panch-kalyanak Pratishtha]] ceremony at [[Sanganer]].<ref>Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan, R.V. Somani, 1982</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2013}} A copy of Amarsen Chariu copied in VS 1577 at [[Sonipat]] was found at Amer, suggesting that Agrawals took sacred texts with them during this migration.<ref>Amarasena Chariu, Dr. Kasturchand Jain Suman, 1990</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2013}}
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==Prachin Shri Agarwal Digambar Jain Panchayat==
==Prachin Shri Agarwal Digambar Jain Panchayat==


Seth Girdhari Lal, the son of [[Raja Harsukh Rai|Raja Shugan Chand]], founded the organization Hissar Panipat Agarwal Jain Panchayat. It is now known as Prachin (i.e. old) Shri Agarwal Digambar Jain Panchayat.<ref>Court calls for Lal Mandir antique idol, Dec 31, 2011, http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-31/delhi/30576182_1_antique-idol-summons-international-market</ref> It is the oldest  Agrawal Jain organization. It has been led by descendants of same family.<ref>Progressive Jains Of India
Seth Girdhari Lal, the son of [[Raja Harsukh Rai|Raja Shugan Chand]], founded the organization Hissar Panipat Agarwal Jain Panchayat. It is now known as Prachin (i.e. old) Shri Agarwal Digambar Jain Panchayat.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707091234/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-31/delhi/30576182_1_antique-idol-summons-international-market Court calls for Lal Mandir antique idol, Dec 31, 2011]</ref> It is the oldest  Agrawal Jain organization. It has been led by descendants of same family.<ref>Progressive Jains Of India
Satish Kumar Jain, Shraman Sahitya Sansthan, 1975</ref> The organization manages the historical [[Naya Mandir]] as well as the [[Lal Mandir]].
Satish Kumar Jain, Shraman Sahitya Sansthan, 1975</ref> The organization manages the historical [[Naya Mandir]] as well as the [[Lal Mandir]].


The Panchayat has been active in promoting unity among Jains of different sectarian backgrounds.<ref>Ahimsa Times, February, 2005, DIGAMBAR JAIN  ORGANISATION IN DELHI BECOMES A PIONEER PATH BREAKER FOR UNITY IN JAIN SOCIETY, http://jainsamaj.org/magazines/ahimsatimesshow.php?id=85 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021040408/http://www.jainsamaj.org/magazines/ahimsatimesshow.php?id=85 |date=21 October 2011 }}</ref>
The Panchayat has been active in promoting unity among Jains of different sectarian backgrounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ahimsa Foundation, India ( WWW.JAINSAMAJ.ORG ) - Information Source about Jain History, Philosophy, Tirthankars, Community, Temples, Literature & much more. |url=https://jainsamaj.org/magazines/ahimsatimesshow.php?id=85 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=jainsamaj.org}}</ref>


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
*[[Jinendra Varni]] compiler of the five volume "Jainendra Siddhanta Kosha" and [[Saman Suttam]] compilation.<ref>Progressive Jains of India By Satish Kumar Jain, 1975, Shraman Sahitya Sansthan</ref>
*Jinendra Varni compiler of the five volume "Jainendra Siddhanta Kosha" and [[Saman Suttam]] compilation.<ref>Progressive Jains of India By Satish Kumar Jain, 1975, Shraman Sahitya Sansthan</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Jain communities]]
[[Category:Jain communities]]
[[Category:Agrawal| ]]
[[Category:Agrawal|*]]
[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Social groups of Haryana]]
[[Category:Social groups of Haryana]]

Latest revision as of 13:48, 2 January 2026


Agrawal Jain
ReligionsJainism
LanguagesHaryanvi, Hindi, Rajasthani
Populated statesHaryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan

Agrawal Jains are an Indian Jain community who originated from Agroha near Hisarin what is now the state of Haryana. In Sanskrit inscriptions and texts, the community is termed Agrotakanvaya.

History[edit | edit source]

Agrawal Jains in Delhi[edit | edit source]

The Agrawal merchant Nattal Sahu and the Agrawal poet Vibudh Shridhar lived during the rule of Tomara Anangapal of Yoginipur (now Mehrauli, near Delhi).[1] Vibudh Shridhar wrote Pasanahacariu in 1132, which includes a historical account of Yoginipur (early Delhi near Mehrauli) then.

In 1354, Firuz Shah Tughluq started the construction of a new city near Agroha called Hisar-e Feroza "Firuz's Fort". Most of the raw material for building the town was brought from Agroha.[2] Hisar was a major center of the Agrawal community.

Some Agrawals rose to good positions in Mughal period, specially during Akbar. Sahu Todar was a supervisor of the royal mint at Agra, who had rebuilt the 514 Jain stupas at Mathura in 1573, during the rule of Akbar.

Sah Ranveer Singh was a royal treasurer during the rule of Akbar. He established the town Saharanpur. His father as well as son and grandson had built several Jain temples, including the one at Kucha Sukhanand in Delhi.[citation needed]

Agrawal Jains in Rajput Kingdoms[edit | edit source]

In the early 15th century, Agrawals flourished as a trader community under the Tomaras of Gwalior.[3][page needed]

Historian K.C. Jain comments:

Golden Age of the Jain Digambar Church in Gwalior under the Tomara rulers inspired by the Kashtha Bhattarakas and their Jain Agrawal disciples who dominated the Court of father and son viz. Dungar Singh (1425–1459) and Kirti Singh (1459–1480) with the Poet-Laureate Raighu as their mouthpiece and spokesman, a centenarian author of as many as thirty books, big and small of which two dozen are reported to be extant today. Verify the advent of the Hisar-Firuza-based Jain Agrawals who functioned as the ministers and treasurers of the ruling family had turned the Rajput State of Gwalior into a Digambara Jain Centre par excellence representing the culture of the Agrawal multi-millionner shravakas as sponsored by them.[3]

In the 15th century, many Agrawals migrated to Amer kingdom (now Jaipur). In VS 1535, Agrawal Nenasi conducted a Panch-kalyanak Pratishtha ceremony at Sanganer.[4][page needed] A copy of Amarsen Chariu copied in VS 1577 at Sonipat was found at Amer, suggesting that Agrawals took sacred texts with them during this migration.[5][page needed]

Prachin Shri Agarwal Digambar Jain Panchayat[edit | edit source]

Seth Girdhari Lal, the son of Raja Shugan Chand, founded the organization Hissar Panipat Agarwal Jain Panchayat. It is now known as Prachin (i.e. old) Shri Agarwal Digambar Jain Panchayat.[6] It is the oldest Agrawal Jain organization. It has been led by descendants of same family.[7] The organization manages the historical Naya Mandir as well as the Lal Mandir.

The Panchayat has been active in promoting unity among Jains of different sectarian backgrounds.[8]

Notable people[edit | edit source]

  • Jinendra Varni compiler of the five volume "Jainendra Siddhanta Kosha" and Saman Suttam compilation.[9]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. An Early Attestation of the Toponym Ḍhillī, by Richard J. Cohen, Journal of the American Oriental Society, 1989, p. 513-519
  2. "The story of Hisar". Tribuneindia.com. 18 August 2001. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Kashtha Sangha Bhattarakas of Gwalior and Agrawal Shravakas, Dr. K. C. Jain
  4. Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan, R.V. Somani, 1982
  5. Amarasena Chariu, Dr. Kasturchand Jain Suman, 1990
  6. Court calls for Lal Mandir antique idol, Dec 31, 2011
  7. Progressive Jains Of India Satish Kumar Jain, Shraman Sahitya Sansthan, 1975
  8. "Ahimsa Foundation, India ( WWW.JAINSAMAJ.ORG ) - Information Source about Jain History, Philosophy, Tirthankars, Community, Temples, Literature & much more". jainsamaj.org. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  9. Progressive Jains of India By Satish Kumar Jain, 1975, Shraman Sahitya Sansthan