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rise of Buddhism or Jainism in the account of Megasthenes who was sent as the envoy to the Court of Chandra Gupta by Seleucus after the conclusion of peace in 303 B. C. But although Megasthenes is silent regarding the spread of Jainism there are other sources showing the spread of Jainism at this time.
According to strongly held Jain tradition Chandra Gupta Maurya had become a Jain monk on abdicating the throne. There can, however, be no doubt that at this period Jainism had an accession of strength due to royal patronage. During the reign of Chandra Gupta, about 310 B.C., there was a very severe famine in Magadba which is said to have lasted for twelve long years. Bhadrabahu, the head of the still undivided Jain community because of this famine had gone over to the south of India and colonised the Canarese country. Bhadrabahu had insisted on the retention of the rule of nudity. Another monk, Sthulabhadra was left behind in Magadha and became the head of the Jain community. Just as the Buddhists had convened a Great Assembly of their co-religionists there was a great Council of the Jains assembled at Pataliputra towards the end of the period of famine. This great Council collected the Jain sacred books which consisted of twelve Angas. Sthulabhadra allowed his followers to wear white garments. This led to the apparent schism between the Swetambars and the Digambars.
As shown elsewhere Magadha was the area where Jainism had struck roots partly due to royal patronage and partly due to the human appeal to bring about a casteless and classless society. Ganges valley had always remained the stronghold of the Jains. The political changes affected Jainism very little in this area.
In Patna there are two very sacred Jain shrines which are places of pilgrimage. Every year thousands of Jain pilgrims visit the two shrines.
