INDIA has had an ancient tradition of philanthropy. The tradition of constructing places of worship, and lodging for pilgrims and worshippers near places of worship and pilgrimage, and setting up educational institutions and charitable hospitals started by kings was followed up by the well-to-do and rich communities, such as the ruling classes and the elite mercantile classes like the Jains in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It might not be too much of a. . .