Pandit Todarmal

Who was Pandit Todarmal?

Pandit Todarmal was an eminent Indian scholar of Jainism and writer in Jaipur. He had an organized system for preservation and study of Jain texts. About ten to twelve copyists were engaged to make hand written copies of important texts in different parts of the country. He made unsuccessful efforts to obtain copies of Dhavala, Jai Dhavala and other Sidhanta Shastras from Karnataka. Even at the cost of life of a man who died of rigors of journey these could not be obtained. Many of his associates became good Jain scholars. Thse include Pandits Jaichand Chabra, Daulatram Kasliwal, Sewaram, and Devidas Godha.

According to Pandit Bakhtawar Shah, Todarmal was arrested on a false charge of removing an idol and was executed by the order of a Jaipur ruler who was under the influence of some staunch anti-Jain individuals in the court, who had become jealous of his influence.

After his death, his son Gumani Ram founded Gumanpanth, a strict sect of Jainism.