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Post-Mahāvīra Period and the Contribution of Jainism
Sambhūtivijaya who was succeeded by Bhadrabāhu in 317 Bc.24
Spread of Jainism
Available evidence tends to reveal that about 300 BC the Jainas were probably losing their position in eastern India.25 They, therefore, decided to migrate to other parts of India. 26 In fact, the spread of Jainism was a product of various migrations.27 It is essential to have an idea of the original extent of Jainism before we turn to the spread of Jainism to various parts of India.
The wanderings of Mahāvīra give us an idea of the original extent of Jainism. It included the kingdoms of Kosala, Videha, Magadha and Anga28 in eastern India. The kingdom of Košala in Mahāvīra's time corresponded to modern Awadha.29 It was a big kingdom and its total extent was only a little less than that of France of present times.30 Videha, too, was a large kingdom. Its capital was Mithilā.31 The kingdom of Magadha corresponded roughly to south Bihar,32 and consisted of the modern districts of Patna and Gaya.33 The kingdom of Anga, situated in east Bihar, roughly corresponded to the present districts of Bhagalpur and Monghyr 34 and its capital was Campā.35
The six centuries which followed the death of Mahāvīra saw the spread of Jainism to north, west and south India. It maintained its progress and by
24. CMHI, II, p. 356; CHAI, III, p. 282. According to another view, Bhadrabāhu succeeded
Sambhūtivijaya in 357 BC. See CHAI, III, p. 282. 25. CHI, 1, p. 167. 26. Ibid. 27. Ibid., pp. 167 ff; AOIU, pp. 417 ff; HJM, p. 577. 28. AOIU, p. 417. 29. Ibid., p. 4; AAHI, p. 56; CHI, I. p. 182. 30. CHI, I, p. 178. 31. AOIU, p. 2. 32. AAHI, p. 56. 33. Ibid.; CHI, I, p. 182. 34. AOIU, p. 3. 35. Ibid., p.3.
