Jainism in Bihar

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

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Mithila, which was the capital of the once prosperous kingdom of Videha, stood as the chief seat of government of the Videhas. It is identified by tradition with modern Janakapura, a small town within the Nepal border, north of which the Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts meet. Videha may be identified with Tirabhukti (modern Tirhut).
Bhadrika, which is the same name as the Pali Bhaddiya, was an important place in the kingdom of Anga.
Alabhika, which is the same name as the Pali Alavi, is identified by Cunningham and Hoernle with Newal or Nawal in Unao District in U. P., and by Nandalal Dey with Airviwa, 27 miles north-east of Etawah.
Panitabhumi, which is the same name as the ArdhaMagadhi Paniyabhumi, was a place in Vajrabhumi, a division of the pathless country of Radha.
Sravasti, which is correctly identified with Saheth-Maheth on the south bank of the river Rapti, was the flourishing capital of the kingdom of Kosala in Mahavira's time. It was situated on the high road from Vaisali, Pava, and Kapilavastu to Kausambi, Ujjayini, and Pratisthana.
Papa, which is the same name as the Pali Pava, was one of the chief seats of government of the Mallas. It was in Mahavira's time one of the halting stations on the high road from Vaisali to Kusinara and Kapilavastu."
It will be seen that excepting Asthigrama, Alabhika, Srawasti and Papa, all the other places are within Bihar.
Not much research is possible in the pre-historical age as to the role Bihar played in the story of Jainism. But some of the ancient Jaina scriptures mention that Jainism had been preached in Magadha (Bihar) by Lord Rishabha at the end of the Stone Age and the beginning of the Agriculture Age. At that remote period Magadha was separated from the rest of India by Ganga-sagar. The ancient history of Nepal bears this out also.
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