Jainism in the Uttara Pradesha
By Unexhibited
Summary
The article on Uttar Pradesha emphasises that Jainism’s history there predates other regions of India. Ayodhya, the birthplace of the first Tirthankara Ṛṣabhadeva, also saw the births of Ajitanatha, Abhinandana, Sumatinatha and Anantanathahttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014. Lord Pārsvanātha was born at Varanasi to king Aśvasena of Kāśī, and his royal connections helped the faith prosperhttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014#:~:text=historic%20times%20we%20find%20that,K%E1%BB%8Bt%C4%81nga%20and%20other%20Jaina%20canonical. With such patronage, Jainism flourished in Uttar Pradesha from the 8th century B.C. through the 10th–12th centuries A.D., although many prehistoric remains were later destroyedhttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014#:~:text=no%20wonder%20therefore%20that%20Jainism,see%20the%20light%20of%20day. The article surveys major sacred sites: Ayodhya’s riverside temples commemorate the births of several Tirthankarashttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014#:~:text=Ayodhya,These%20are%20of%20later%20construction; Sravasti (Sahet‑Mahet) in Gonda district, once capital of Kosala, was the birthplace of Sambhavanathahttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014#:~:text=Sravasti,place%20of%203rd%20Tirthankara%20Sambhavanatha; and Kausambi (Kosam) near Allahabad yielded sculptures and coins bearing Jain symbols during excavations by Cunningham and later archaeologistshttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014. Pabhosa caves near Kosam bear Sunga‑age inscriptions dedicated to kasyapa arhatshttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014#:~:text=In%201862,belonged%20to%20the%20Kasyapa%20gotra. Varanasi, Simhapura (Sarnath), Candrapuri and Kampila each claim the births of other Tirthankaras, and Hastinapura was linked with Santinatha, Kunthunatha and Aranathahttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Jain_Journal_1969_04/520014#:~:text=Varanasi%20Varanasi%20was%20the%20birth,Tirthankara%20Dharmanatha%20was%20born%20here. The article notes that some of these cities have vanished or fallen into ruin; nevertheless, they testify to Uttar Pradesha’s central role in Jain history.
Conclusion
Uttar Pradesha is the cradle of Jainism: many Tirthankaras were born there, and sites such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Sravasti and Hastinapura still preserve their memory. Although later turmoil erased many remains, the surviving temples and excavated artefacts highlight the region’s pivotal role.