Jainism in Bihar

Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

Page 22

be more correct to say that Asthigrama was the earlier name of Vardhamana (modern Burdwan). But none need be surprised if Astbigrama was the same place as Hatbigama (Hastigrama) which lay on the high road from Vaisali to Pava.
Campa was the capital of Anga, which, after many vicissitudes of fortune in its war with Magadha, was conquered in Mahavira's time by Srenika Bimbisara and permanently annexed to Magadha. Anga of the Sanskrit Epics comprised modern districts of Bhagalpur and Monghyr and extended northwards up to the river Kosi. Its capital Campa was situated on the river of the same name and the Ganges, at a distance of 60 yojanas. Its actual site is probably marked by two villages of Campanagara and Campapura near Bhagalpur.
Prsticampa must have been a place not far from Campa. One of the Pali Jatakas mentions a town, known by the name of Kala-Campa and situated in the kingdom of Anga.
Vaisali (modern Besarh in the Muzaffarpur district of Bibar) was the chief seat of government of the Vrji-Licchavis in Mahavira's time, and Vanijagrama was a centre of trade in the suburb of Vaisali.
Rajgrha (modern Rajgir) was the capital of Magadba in Mahavira's time. It was guarded by five hills, called Isigili, Vebhara, Pandava, Vepulla, and Gijjhakuta. The Mahabharata gives the names of the five bills as : Vipula, Vaibhara, Varaha, Vrsabha, and Rsi . *
Nalanda, which is described in the Kalpa-Sutra as a suburb (bahirika) of Rajgrha, was situated on the high road from Rajgrba to Vaisali, at a distance of one yojana from Rajgrha. It is identified with modern Bargaon, 7 miles to the north-west of Rajgir in the district of Patna.
*According to the accepted Jain tradition the names of the five hills are Vipulachala, Ratangiri, Udayagiri, Swarnagiri and Vaibhargiri. (P. C. Roy Choudhury).