When by 300 B.C. the migration of Jainas began
from eastern India to different parts of the country. One of their
branches was firmly established in north India from the middle of the
second century B.C. and was settled in the Mathura region. That
Shravanabelagola was to the Jainas of South. Mathura, in the old kingdom
of Surasenas, was to the Jainas of North. The numerous inscriptions
excavated in this city tell us about a wide-spread and firmly established
Jaina religion. Strongly supported By pious lay devotees and very jealous
in the consecration and worship of images and shrines dedicated to Lord
Mahavira and his predecessors. As these inscriptions range from the 2nd
century B.C. to the 5th century A.D.. it is clear that Mathura was a
stronghold of Jainas for nearly a thousand years.
Another center of Jaina
activities in the North was Ujjayini It was the capital of Maurya Emperor
Samprati who was the Jaina Ashok. Since we find several references
to Ujjayini in the Jaina literature, it seems that the city might have
played an important role in the history of Jaina religion.
The archaeological and
other evidences brought to light from different parts of north and central
India establish close relations of various rulers with Jainism. During the
Mohammedan period Jainism could not get the royal and popular support as
it used to receive before but it succeeded in holding its own without much
trouble. Jainas even could secure some concessions for their holy places
and practices from the liberal minded Mughal emperors like Akbar the Great
and Jahangir.
It is recorded that emperor
Akbar was very favorably inclined towards the Jaina religion. In the year
1583 A.D. he made animal slaughter during the Paryusana days a
capital offense throughout his vast empire. This tolerant policy of the
Great Mohgal was revoked by his successor Jahangir. A deputation of the
Jainas which visited Jahangir in 1610 A.D. was able to secure a new
imperial firman or rescript under which the slaughter of animals was again
prohibited during the days of the Paryusana.
During the Mohammedan
period, however, the Jainas particularly increased in the native States of
Rajputana, where they came to occupy many important offices under the
state as generals and ministers. In this connection Col. Tod remarks that:
"The officers of the state
and revenue are chiefly of the Jaina laity. The Chief Magistrate and
assessors of Justice in Udaipur and most of the towns of Rajasthan, are of
this sect. Many of the ancient cities where this religion was fostered,
have inscriptions which evince their prosperity in these countries, where
with their own history is interwoven. In fine, the necrological records of
the Jainas bear witness to their having occupied a distinguished place in
Rajput society; and the privileges they still enjoy, prove that they are
not overlooked." (Vide Col. Tod, J. Annals and Antiquities of
Rajasthan, Vol. II, pp. 603-605).
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