Cultural Heritage of Bengal in Relation to Jainism
Summary
S.C. Mukherji’s article ‘Cultural Heritage of Bengal in Relation to Jainism’ explores the influence of Jainism on Bengal’s cultural history. Mukherji states that Jainism, preached by Pārśvanātha and Mahāvīra in pre‑Mauryan times, remains a living faith in India and has shaped cultural progress. Although Jainism originated in eastern India, it spread into Bengal and Orissa. The Āyāraṅga Sutta and other Jaina texts describe Mahāvīra’s travels to Ladha (modern Bengal) and Vajrabhūmi, where he encountered difficulties but eventually converted many people to Jainism. Mukherji traces the presence of Jainism in Bengal through royal patronage: early dynasties such as the Śiśunāgas, Nandas, Kalingas and Mauryas supported Jain monks and lay communities; later kings like the Guptas and Śaśanka were influenced by Jain ethics. The article lists evidence that Jainism thrived in Bengal: numerous temples, rock‑cut caves and bronzes of Tīrthaṅkaras were found in Purulia, Bankura, Burdwan and other districts; votive stupas and carved pillars have been discovered at Deulbhira, Pakbirra, Telkupi and Jainagar; and illustrated manuscripts and palm‑leaf texts were preserved in monasteries. Mukherji notes that some shrines, such as the Dharmarāj temples in Bankura and Bardhaman, were originally Jaina but were later converted to Hindu worship yet still exhibit features like tirtha‑plaques and images of Jina. Valuable sculptures and relics are housed in museums like the Indian Museum in Kolkata, the Varendra Research Museum, the State Archaeological Gallery and the Asutosh Museum, and private collections also contain Jaina images from Bengal. He cites scholars and epigraphic evidence to show that Jainism co‑existed with Buddhism and Hinduism in Bengal and contributed to cultural diversity. A select bibliography lists works by Bagchi, Banerji, Chakraverty, Dasgupta and Ghosh. Mukherji concludes that although Jainism eventually declined in Bengal due to the rise of Buddhism and Vaishnavism, its heritage endures through architecture, sculptures and folklore. The article emphasises the importance of preserving and studying Jaina antiquities to better understand Bengal’s multi‑religious past.
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Conclusion
Mukherji argues that Bengal’s cultural heritage cannot be understood without acknowledging Jainism’s influence. The faith’s early spread to Bengal left numerous temples, sculptures and manuscripts that attest to a vibrant Jaina community. Although many sites were later assimilated into Buddhist or Hindu traditions, their Jaina origins remain evident. By cataloguing these sites and highlighting the need for preservation, the article encourages further research on Jainism’s role in shaping Bengal’s artistic and architectural landscape.