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part of the Maurgan Empire of our mother-løpd. It was called as 'Northern India' and when Fa-Hian the Chinese Traveller came to India in the 4tb. century A.D he wrote that with the country of Wirchang commences North India! Hieun-Tsang, who visited India century found Indian Kinge ruling in Afgbanistan and most of them followed the religion of Jinas. He met many Digambara Jainos there In ancient times the country of Afgbanistan was known as Balhika or Jauna ( Yavana ) and it is evident from the Jaina canonical sources tbat Rishabbadeva, the first Tirthankara visited the countries of Ambada; Babli, Illa, Jauna and Pablva during bis preaching tours. Bharat; the son of Rishabha Deva and first Chakravarti monarch of India conquered this tract of land apd it was included in the Indian Empire". Tbe modern province of Balkba in Afghanistan has been indentified with the ancient Babli or Balbika. The country was teeming with Jaina temples, stupas and pillars. Jainas were in great number and their naked ascetics called Nirgrantbas were moving freely in the country teaching the people the blessed priociple of Ahinsa and Anekanta The Mauryan Emperors like Chandragupta, Asoka & Samprati patronsed the Juidas & followed the Jaina religion They were responsible to send cultural missions of tbe Jajna Sadhne to the countries of Afghanistan, Arabia, Persia and middle Asia. Wben Groeke occupied Afghanistan and North Western portion of India, Jajoism remained flourishing there. Alexander the Great had an encounter with naked Indian Saints, whom be called Gymnosophists and who were no otper than the Digambara Jain ascetics on the 1. Modern Review, 1927, PP. 132 ff. 2. Eindi Enayclopaedia, Vol. I, pp. 678-680 and Travels of Hieun
Tsong. The Chinese pilgrim wrote that "The li-hi (Nigran. tba ) distinguish themselves by leaving their bodies naked
and pulling out their bair"-St. Juliov Vienna, P. 224. 3. 919927 qfu, 850-Life in Ancient India, P. 270. 4. Asoka & Jainism : The Jaina Antiquary, Vol. VII P. 21. 5. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. XXV (11th edition) and
संक्षिप्त जैन इतिहास, भा०२, खंड १ पृ० १८०-१६६
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Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
