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JAINISM IN THE PUNJAB
Jainism originated in Eastern India from where it spread into other parts of the country. In the course of time it lost its eminence in the region of its birth, but gained prominence in the South and the West where it played an important role in the political, social and cultural fields.
There is no tradition as to how and when Jainism came into the Punjab just as there is one for its arrival in the South or for the introduction of Buddhism into Ceylon. When, however, the following facts are taken into consideration, it can be said without much hesitation that Jainism entered the Punjab soon after the nirvana of Mahavira.
(1) It is enjoined upon Jaina monks to continue wandering from place to place and preach the doctrine to all without staying anywhere except during the four months of the rainy season.
(2) Jaina laymen journeyed far and wide by land and sea for trade purposes, thus coming into contact with other peoples. It is natural that some of the latter were attracted by Jaina doctrines and practices and were won over to the new faith.
(3) King Sampriti, a grandson of Asoka, sent missionaries to foreign countries to preach the doctrine there.
There cannot be any doubt about the existence of Jainism in the Punjab in the early centuries of the Christian era. It never became a popular religion here but remained confined to big cities and towns. Though the number of its followers has been small yet by virtues of their social and economic position they won esteem at the hands of the rulers. Literary and archaeological evidence shows that there were different centres of Jainism in the Punjab at different times but it does not preclude its existence at other places. The existence of seven such centres up to the time of Akbar is supported by literary and other evidences. They are: (1) Taksasila, (2) Harappa, (3) Simhapura, (4) Parvatika, (5) Nagarkot-Kangra, (6) Sindhudesa and (7) Lahore.
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