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Jainism As Perceived by Huen-Tsang
But it is really difficult to place it near Varanasi as the pilgrim has described this city between Takşaśilā (Ta-Cha-Shi-Lo) and Urasha (Wu-la-shi), identified with modern Hazara district of Pakistan. It was therefore undoubtedly situated in North-Western India, not in the plain field of river Ganga. Besides, there are archaeological reports which indicate the presence of Jaina remains. In one of his reports, Prof. Stein clearly states that the Jaina sculptures of Simhapur are of better execution than those of Ellora.' It is remarkable to note here that Varāngacrita, a text written in the seventh century A.D. just contemporary to Huen-tsang, informs us about the popularity of Jaina religion at Simhapur while describing the travelling route of prince Varānga.
Huen-Tsang does not mention the Jaina presence in Takşaśilā, nevertheless it has been a great Jaina centre from early periods. Literary as well as archaeological both sources provide us ample information regarding this. Āvasyaka Niryukti and Cūrņi associate this place with king Bāhubali who had reigned here. He was the son of first Tīrthankara Rşabhadeva and younger brother of Cakravarti Bharata. It is stated that Bāhubali had installed a jeweled Dharmacakra on the foot-prints left by Rşabha at this place. It has been identified with the ruins near Shah-Dheri between Attock and Rawalpindi in Pakistan." In archaeological excavations, Sir John Marshall has found the remains related to Jaina religion. According to him, Taxila must have been adorned by a vast number of Jaina edifices, some of which were no doubt of considerable magnificence." It is to be noted here that even in the beginning of the fourteenth century A.D., Āc. Jinaprabha in his Vividhatīrthakalpa mentions it as a Jaina holy place which was associated with Bāhubali."
Then, Huen-tsang enters into the plain field of Ganga-Yamuna and finds a number of Jaina followers in various cities of that time like Vārāṇasī3 (Po-Lo-Ni-sse), Vaiśālīl4 (Fei-she-li), Magadha 5 (Mo-Kie-t'o), Rājagrható (Ho-La-Shi-Ki-Li-hi), Puņdravardhana!? (Pun-Na-Fa-Tan-Na), Samatata18 (San-Mo-Ta-cha) and in Kalinga! (Kie-Ling-Kia). Almost all cities referred to by him were the Jaina
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