Jainism is a philosophy-based ancient religion that provides all sentient creatures with the path to liberation, spiritual purity, and enlightenment via disciplined nonviolence. Lord Mahavira's advocacy of the faith helped Jainism gain prominence in the sixth century B.C. Because India is a subcontinent with a long history of kingdoms, royal assistance was critical for spreading the faith. Despite its volatility, royal support assisted the Jain cause and the fortunes of Jainism. This article will explain to you the Royal patrons of Jainism from north India and south India which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Jainism

• Jainism is one of India's three oldest religions, with roots reaching back to the mid-first century B.C.E. It is still a significant part of Indian culture today.
• The path to enlightenment, according to Jainism, is one of nonviolence and minimising harm to living things (including plants and animals).
• Reincarnation is something that Jains, like Hindus and Buddhists, believe in.
• Jainism is an extremely old religion. According to some traditions, it predates the Vedic religion.
• The Jain faith boasts a lineage of renowned teachers known as Tirthankaras.
• Jainism was taught in Pali and Prakrit, making it more accessible to the general public than Sanskrit.
• It was open to individuals of all castes.
• Because spiritual advancement was the objective of life for the Jains, history did not seem to be very important to them.
• However, records of royal support, extant inscriptions, art and architecture, literary and mythological sources have all contributed to historians' understanding of Jainism's past.

Royal patrons of Jainism - North India

• Northern Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, and Rajasthan have been connected with Jainism since the birth of the first tirthankara, Risabhdeva, in Ayodhya.
• Many tirthankaras were born in northern India, the most recent being Parsvanatha, who was born in Varanasi.
• Historically, the north was split into several kingdoms, both great and tiny, governed by various clans and dynasties, some of whom supported Jainism.
• The oldest Jain inscription discovered in Mathura dates from 150 BCE. It grew as a Jain centre throughout centuries.

Bimbisara

• Bimbisara (545/544 BCE - 493/492 BCE) was a Magadha Kingdom ruler who is credited with establishing imperial control in the Indian subcontinent.
• Bimbisara ruled at a period when the respective founders of Buddhism and Jainism, Gautama Buddha (563 BCE - 483 BCE) and Mahavira Vardhamana (599 BCE - 527 BCE as per the Jaina narrative), both began their teachings.
• According to Jain literature, he was a student of Lord Mahavira.
• According to Jains, Bimbisara would become a Tirthankara (completely realised entity) in the next cycle of life as a result of his relationship with Mahavira.

Ajatasatru

• Ajatashatru, also known as Kunika, was nurtured in Rajagriha under the careful supervision of his father Bimbisara.
• He was educated in traditional Indian warfare, archery, fencing, horseback riding, scripture knowledge, and many other disciplines in accordance with the Indian tradition of royal education.
• Ajatashatru's birth story may be found in both Jain and Buddhist literature.
• With the rise of Buddhism and Jainism in Magadha under Ajatashatru, the Brahmanical faith appears to have taken a second place, and literature shows that the Brahmans looked down on Magadha.

Chandragupta Maurya

• The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. He was successful in capturing the majority of the Indian subcontinent.
• Jainism entered a new era in Indian history with his ascent to the throne.
• According to Jain literature, he was born into a prominent household of the kshatriya caste.
• Chandragupta Maurya was a staunch supporter of Jainism.
• According to a Jain tradition mentioned in the Tiloyapannatti and Rajavalikatha, he is a Jain.
• For numerous years, Chandragupta Maurya resided in a cave in Shravanabelagola.
• He spent his time there worshipping his teacher Bhadrabahu's footprints. He ultimately took his own life in the Jain tradition.
• According to the Tibetan story, Kautilya saw Chandragupta Maurya's abdication.
• The Greek ambassador to Chandragupta's court, Megasthanes, cites Sarmanas (Sramanas) throughout his kingdom.
• He also claims that Chandragupta accepted the Sramanas' spiritual message.

Bindusara

• Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta, the Mauryan Empire's founder.
• A mythology regarding Bindusara's name appears in both Buddhist and Jain writings.
• According to both stories, Chandragupta's minister Chanakya used to inject small quantities of poison to the emperor's diet to strengthen his immunity against prospective poisoning attempts.
• Bindusara's father, Chandragupta, joined Jainism before his death, according to Jain sources.
• They are, however, mute about Bindusara's beliefs, and there is no proof that Bindusara was a Jain.

Kharavela

• During the Mahameghavahana dynasty's second century, Kharavela was the ruler of Kalinga, which is now Orissa.
• He was a remarkable achiever in areas such as capital reconstruction, in which he strove to rebuild gates and structures in his capital, Kalinganagar, and in preparing a formidable infantry, elephant force, and so on.
• The majority of his knowledge comes from the Hathigumpha inscription in the Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar.
• According to the inscription, Kharavela supported a variety of religious groups, including Jainism.

Royal patrons of Jainism - South India

• According to early Tamil literature, Jainism was quite prominent in the districts south of the Kaveri.
• The Jain ascetics of Bengal and Orissa were responsible for the early spread of Jainism in Tamil Nadu, not Karnataka, as is commonly assumed.
• The Silappadikaram details Jain temples and offers an overview of Jainism in the three Dravidian nations of Chola, Pandya, and Chera.
• Many south Indian kingdoms supported Jainism, including the Chalukyas, Gangas, Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Pandyas, Cholas, Amoghvarsha, Vijaynagar, and others.

Kadamba dynasty

• The Kadambas coexisted with the Western Ganga Dynasty and established one of the first small kingdoms to rule the area independently.
• For roughly 500 years, beginning in the mid-6th century, the dynasty reigned as a vassal of the larger Kannada empires, the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta empires, before splitting into subsidiary kingdoms.
• Jainism was sponsored by the Kadambas, who built Jain temples at Banavasi, Belgaum, Mangalore, and Goa.
• The first Kadamba donation related to Jainism is associated with King Kakusthavarman.

Ganga Dynasty

• Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh were all heavily influenced by the Ganga Dynasty.
• All main faiths of the time, including Jainism and the Hindu sects of Shaivism, Vedic Brahmanism, and Vaishnavism, were supported by the Western Gangas.
• When King Shivamara I erected numerous Jain basadis in the ninth century, Jainism gained popularity in the realm.
• King Butuga II and minister Chavundaraya, both devoted Jains, erected the Gomateshwara monolith.
• Jains worshipped the 24 tirthankaras (Jinas), whose sculptures were housed in temples.
• They believed that the tirthankaras held both creative and destructive abilities, similar to Hindu beliefs about the holy trinity (Trimurti) of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Amoghavarsha

• Amoghavarsha, also known as Amoghavarsha Nrupathunga I, was the greatest ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty and one of the most illustrious monarchs of ancient India.
• Amoghavarsha practised both Jainism and Hinduism.
• His rule was one of the world's four major contemporaneous empires, and because of his calm and sympathetic demeanour, he has been compared to the previously mentioned Emperor Ashoka.
• During his rule, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal, the Konnur basadi, and the Neminatha basadi at Manyakheta were built.

Kumarapala

• Kumarapala was a Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty monarch from Gujarat.
• He was born as Bhima I's son under the Chaulukya dynasty.
• The majority of his information is derived from two sources: many Sanskrit and Apabhramsa-Prakrit language inscriptions, as well as Jain literature.
• Kumarapala was well-known for his support of Jainism, and a number of mediaeval Jain academics wrote biographies about him.
• Kumarapala was born into a Shaivite family but converted to Jainism later in life.
• Later Jain legends portray him as the last great royal supporter of Jainism, as well as a worthy Jain monarch.
• During his reign, Jainism grew to prominence in Gujarat. Kumarapala, after converting to Jainism, forbade animal slaughter, alcohol, gambling, and adultery, according to Jain legends.

Conclusion

With origins dating back to the mid-first century B.C.E., Jainism is one of India's three oldest faiths. It remains an important component of Indian culture today. According to Jainism, the road to enlightenment is one of nonviolence and minimising harm to living beings (including plants and animals). Because India is a subcontinent with a long history of kingdoms, royal support was vital to the growth of the faith. Despite its instability, royal backing aided the Jain cause and Jainism's fortunes.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who among the following Mauryan rulers embraced Jainism in his later years?

A) Ashoka
B) Bindusara
C) Chandragupta Maurya
D) Brihadratha

2. Which dynasty in South India was known for its patronage of Jainism?

A) Maurya
B) Chalukya
C) Gupta
D) Nanda

3. Which famous Jain monument was built under royal patronage in Karnataka?

A) Kailasa Temple
B) Khajuraho Temples
C) Gomateshwara Statue
D) Sanchi Stupa

4. King Kharavela, a patron of Jainism, belonged to which region?

A) Magadha
B) Kalinga
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Karnataka

5. Which Jain teacher influenced Chandragupta Maurya’s conversion to Jainism?

A) Bhadrabahu
B) Gautama
C) Mahavira
D) Rishabhanatha

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of royal patronage in the spread and development of Jainism in ancient India. How did it contribute to the religion's growth?

Answer: Royal patronage played a critical role in the spread and development of Jainism in ancient India. Kings and dynasties in both North and South India, such as Chandragupta Maurya, King Kharavela, and the Chalukyas, supported Jain philosophy by building temples, funding educational centers, and protecting Jain monks. This patronage allowed Jainism to thrive culturally and intellectually. Monuments like the Dilwara Temples and the Gomateshwara statue reflect this support. The royal backing helped Jainism gain prominence, leading to its integration into Indian society and lasting cultural contributions.

Q2: Evaluate the contributions of South Indian dynasties to the spread of Jainism. How did their patronage differ from that of North Indian rulers?

Answer: South Indian dynasties like the Gangas, Chalukyas, and Rashtrakutas contributed significantly to Jainism by building temples and encouraging scholarly pursuits. Unlike North Indian rulers, who focused on spreading Jain teachings, South Indian patronage emphasized monumental architecture, as seen in the Gomateshwara statue. This architectural contribution distinguished their support and enabled Jainism to flourish, especially in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The regional adaptations of Jainism also showcased a cultural synthesis, as South Indian art styles were integrated into Jain monuments, highlighting the dynasties’ unique approach to patronage.

Q3: How did the royal patronage of Jainism influence art and architecture in India? Provide examples to support your answer.

Answer: Royal patronage of Jainism had a profound impact on Indian art and architecture. Jain rulers and patrons commissioned intricate temples and sculptures that exemplify Jain values of simplicity and spiritualism. Examples include the Dilwara Temples in Rajasthan, known for their intricate marble carvings, and the Gomateshwara statue in Karnataka, one of the largest free-standing statues in the world. These structures not only served religious purposes but also reflected the artistic excellence of the time, contributing to India's cultural heritage and showcasing the craftsmanship of Jain artists under royal patronage.

Previous Year Questions on Royal Patrons of Jainism

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which dynasty is known for constructing the Gomateshwara statue in Karnataka, a famous Jain monument?

A) Maurya
B) Chola
C) Ganga
D) Gupta

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The Ganga dynasty in Karnataka is credited with constructing the Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola, which is an important Jain monument and reflects the dynasty's patronage of Jainism.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Analyze the influence of royal patronage on the spread of Jainism in India. How did it shape the cultural and architectural legacy of the religion?"

Answer: Royal patronage greatly influenced the spread of Jainism by providing resources for religious and cultural projects. Dynasties across India supported Jain teachings, built temples, and protected Jain scholars. This patronage led to the creation of architectural marvels like the Dilwara Temples and the Gomateshwara statue, showcasing unique Jain art styles and contributing to India's cultural legacy. Royal support also helped Jainism endure through changing political landscapes, establishing a lasting religious and architectural heritage that reflects India’s pluralistic history.