Jain perspective (concise overview):

• Agarwal is a large trading community in North India, traditionally Hindu. Some individuals and families among Agarwals chose Jainism due to the appeal of its non-violence (ahimsa), strict ethics in business, and clear vows (monastic discipline) that align with a careful, principled way of life.

• Historical context: Jainism had strong centers in parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and northern India where Jain monks, merchants, and learned families interacted. In these settings, some Agarwal families and kin groups embraced Jain vows, rituals, and community life, while others remained Hindu. Conversion often happened gradually through personal conviction, family influence, and social networks rather than through force.

• Motivations often cited by converts include:

- Commitment to non-violence and environmental/ethical conduct in trade and daily life. - Emphasis on truth, discipline, and careful accounting in business, which appealed to merchant sensibilities. - Access to Jain education, temples, and sangh (community institutions) that supported spiritual practice and communal solidarity. - Influence of respected Jain teachers or family elders within their networks.

• Important note: Jain communities traditionally recognize both voluntary adoption of Jain vows and interwoven family descent. In many cases, individuals who became Jain did so while retaining cultural ties to their broader Agarwal lineage.

• Differences across Digambar and Śvetambar: Both groups share core Jain principles, but rituals, monastic rules, and some practices differ. The general reason for Agarwal conversions—aspiration toward ahimsa, ethical business conduct, and spiritual aim—persists across traditions, though the specifics of practice may vary by sect.

If you’d like, I can look up authentic Jain sources or pages on JainKnowledge.com that discuss Agarwal conversions or the historical interactions between merchant communities and Jainism, and summarize those with exact references.