Due to this legacy of knowledge, India became known as Jagadguru!

- Identity of Akash - Kumarapala Desai

- Jains have also established libraries for the collection of literature created by Jains from medieval literature and besides their own religious literature, Jains have also found handwritten copies of Brahmanical and Buddhist literature and philosophical texts at Patan, Khambhat etc.

A Mahagranth opens many doors of knowledge. After giving the details of the huge 400 page book 'History of Jain Gyanbhandars' edited by Muni Hitartharatna Vijayji Maharaj Saheb, there was a strong curiosity to know about Jain Gyanbhandars and manuscripts everywhere. Therefore, Mr. Kanubhai Shah, a well-known librarian of Gujarat and one of the leading services in Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Acharya Kailasagarsurishwarji Gyanmandir, Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust, has his own Gujarati periodical list, manuscripts, Gujarati reference books, library and information science. Moreover, today Shri Kanubhai Shah, who has a lively relationship with many educational, social and religious institutions, is the first to contribute to the texts of Jain Encyclopedia. Is. In this context, let us get interesting information from him about the importance of Gyanbhandar and especially the features of Jain Gyanbhandars.

Why is the heritage of knowledge preserved in the Jain treasures given so much importance? At first, Shrut Srimukh was preserved in the tradition of discipleship of Lord Ganadhar, but with the passage of time and due to famine, etc., and also due to weakening of memory, Shrut began to be forgotten. Since the reading of 500 Acharyas in Valabhipur in 210 under the chairmanship of Devardhigani Kshmashraman, the tradition of memorization as well as writing has started to preserve the shrut. In this way, these listeners protected the hearing knowledge through the tradition of bibliography.

Shri Devardhigani Shramashrama started dictation and prepared many copies of 'Dvadshangi' and 'Agamgrantho'. The heritage of this divine Srutagnana is preserved in the Jain Gyanbhandars. Due to this, the knowledge stored in these treasures is very important, therefore the importance of Jain treasures is special today.

Prior to the advent of typography, writing was done on durable paper, measured in black ink, with the help of Baruna Kitta.

The scribes were trained to write well. The manuscript is called 'manuscript' in Sanskrit, while the manuscript in English. This is a Latin word. It literally means - handwritten. A copy of a handwritten text is known as a manuscript. That is, ancient manuscripts that have historical, social, philosophical, and scientific significance can be called manuscripts or manuscripts.

These manuscripts contain the teachings or supernatural visions of our sages, monks and nuns. Due to this legacy of knowledge, India was known as Jagadguru, which was a source of pride for us. This ancient heritage has been preserved by our forefathers in the face of many calamities, in the face of foreign invasions, from natural calamities, from pests and hence it is our duty to pass on this ancient legacy of knowledge to future generations. With that goal in mind, our forefathers have preserved knowledge in a systematic way by building many repositories of knowledge, which is glorious and commendable.

Inspired by Acharya Bhagwanto, kings, ministers as well as wealthy listeners have established manuscripts by writing manuscripts after Acharya Shri Devardhiganikshamashram started writing books. The act of reciting the scriptures to the gods for recitation is considered a meritorious deed. Therefore, the work of this knowledge activity has been encouraged in the Jain sect. The work of writing manuscripts was considered a source of pride for wealthy listeners.

The composition and writing of hundreds of texts seems to have developed considerably in the Solanki Golden Age. Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa literature composed at that time is found. In the thirteenth century, the famous minister of Gujarat, Gyanpremi Shri Vastupal, spent eighteen crores and set up libraries at Patan, Khambhat and Dholka. The record of Maharaja Kumarapala establishing 21 Gyanbhandars is found in 'Kumarapal Prabandh' written by Acharya Shri Hemchandracharya.

Let's look at the specialty of these manuscripts. The Jain repositories are the true custodians of the heritage in Indian culture. It is because of these treasures that we are fortunate to have a true identity of our ancient culture. One thousand years of continuous history is known to us because of the manuscripts stored in the treasures. As well as the features of the knowledge heritage preserved in the manuscripts.

Anhilpur Patan was established by King Vanraj, the first king of the Chavda dynasty, in 6-7 AD and since Patan was the capital of the state of Gujarat, it has been the main and important center of Jainism in Gujarat. In medieval times, it was the center of Jains in the 11th, 16th and 19th centuries. At that time Jainism got a liberal sanctuary. Due to this, Acharyas were able to create literature on religion, philosophy, literature, history and other subjects. Jain Acharyas have written extensively on various subjects in the capital of Gujarat as well as in other places.

Libraries have also been established by the Jains for the collection of literature created by the Jains from medieval literature and in addition to their own religious literature, the Jains have also found handwritten copies of Brahmanical and Buddhist literature and philosophical texts at Patan, Khambhat etc. It is because of these Jain treasures that ancient invaluable texts of Jains, Brahmins and Buddhists are found here. These texts have attracted Indian scholars, historians and linguists. Not only that, but scholars from Europe and America have also accelerated their research by getting factual information from these Patan libraries.

In the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries AD, Patan was of great political importance. As well as due to the influence of Acharya Shri Hemchandrasurishwarji M.S.A. During this time many texts related to history, religion, policy, philosophy, literature were created. These texts have proved to be very important in the context of our culture. It is clear that Jainacharyas and monks took keen interest in developing enlightenment activities. We will see more interesting details about this later.