Question

Who was the Jain scholar who was consulted and honoured by Sultan Muhammad-bin Tughlaq?
1. Jinaprabha Suri
2. Mahendra Suri
3. Hemchandra Suri
4. Kundacharya

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Jinaprabha Suri

The correct answer is Jinaprabha Suri.

• JINAPRABHA SURI
  • The two religions Islam and Jainism interacted with each other during the Sultanate period and later during the Mughal period.
  • He was born in the Tambi clan of the Shrimal Jain community of Mohilvadi in Gujarat.
  • Jinaprabha Suri lived during the rule of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq and has written three Jain prayers in the Persian language.
  • He was the author of 'Vividha Tirtha Kalpa' (Guide to Various Pilgrimage Places), which gives accounts of major Jain Tirthas. It was composed in the 14th century.
  • In his composition, he also mentioned his relations with Muhammad bin Tughluq. He impressed the Sultan with his poetic flair and knowledge about various religious schools in India. He was successful in recovering an image from the Sultan's treasury that had been taken from a temple.
  • Muhammad bin Tughluq got so much impressed that he even called Jinaprabha Suri to settle religious matters for him.
  • Jinaprabha Suri was also given some portion in Tughluqabad for the Jain community that included a hall where he could teach.
  • He also received official orders (firmans) that the Jain pilgrims would neither be harmed and nor taxed during their holy journey.