Jainism in Bengal

Summary

“Jainism in Bengal” by Chitta Ranjan Pal is a historical study of the Jain presence in eastern India from the early centuries A.D. through the Pāla period. Using evidence from the ninth‑century compendium Bṛhatkathākośa, the author argues that the Nirgrantha (Jain) community retained its identity and influence in Bengal despite competition from Buddhism. In the tenth century the Buddhist Pāla kings held sway over Bengal and Bihar, yet texts show that Jains maintained strongholds in regions like Koṭivarṣa – Puṇḍravardhana (North Bengal), Samataṭa – Vaṅga (East Bengal) and Tāmralipti – Rāḍha (Western Bengal). Hariseṇa sūri’s narratives describe monasteries, lay communities and influential monks active in these areas. The article highlights the figure of Bhaḍrabāhu, the last Śrutakevalin and sixth successor to Mahāvīra, whom later tradition associated with Bengal. Hariseṇa relates that Bhaḍrabāhu was born at Devakoṭa (Puṇḍravardhana), mastered the Jain canon and converted Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. During a great famine he led twelve thousand monks to Karnataka, an event that later contributed to the schism between Śvetāmbara and Digambara sects. Pal surveys Puranic legends and Jain inscriptions to show that Bengali Jains built temples, patronised art and composed literature during the Pāla era. He challenges the claim that Jainism virtually disappeared from Bengal, pointing out that Nirgrantha ascetics were sometimes confused with Kāpālika yogīs and that some of their rituals were appropriated by Śaiva cults. Yet Buddhist texts occasionally praise the moral rigour of Jaina monks. The tolerant religious policy of the Pāla kings allowed Jains to continue missionary activity; they interacted with Buddhists and Hindus while preserving their doctrines. Hariseṇa’s stories depict monks debating metaphysics, converting laypeople and maintaining monastic discipline. The article ends by summarising “three glaring truths”: first, that Jainism was a living religion in Bengal during the Pāla period rather than on the verge of extinction; second, that the Nirgranthas were admired even by opponents for their strict monastic life; and third, that the decline of Jainism in Bengal cannot be attributed to the Pāla kings but to later historical forces, particularly the Turkish invasions. As such, Jainism contributed to the religious diversity and cultural richness of medieval Bengal and left an artistic and philosophical legacy that lasted well into the second millennium.