Lifetime
Born: 15th CEAbout
Lonka ShahAccording to Sthanakvasi tradition (as depicted in the late 19th century) Lonka was a rich merchant and a Jain layman with powerful connections among the Muslim authorities in Ahmedabad.
After a serious study of the Jain scriptures he became convinced that the practice of Jainism he saw around him was without any textual basis and totally corrupt. The inspection of Jain texts and the influence of the Muslim culture in Gujarat led him to deny image worshipping. Based on this perception of Jain religion, he innitiated a Gaccha which was later described as Lonka Gaccha.