Jainism in Pakistan (پاکستان میں جین مت) has an extensive heritage and history, with several ancient Jain shrines scattered across the country.[1]Baba Dharam Dass was a holy man whose tomb is located near the bank of a creek called (Deoka, Deokay, or Degh) near Chawinda Phatic, behind the agricultural main office inPasrur, near the city ofSialkot inPunjab, Pakistan. Another prominent Jain monk of the region wasVijayanandsuri ofGujranwala, whosesamadhi (memorial shrine) still stands in the city.[1]
As per canonicalŚvetāmbaraJaina textsĀvaśyaka Cūrṇi andĀvaśyaka Niryukti,TirthankaraRishabhanatha visited Takshashila while wandering after initiation as a monk millions of years ago. Upon learning of his arrival,Bahubali, who was not in the city at that moment, rushed to the city, but the Rishabhanatha had already departed before Bahubali arrived.[3] His footprints were subsequently consecrated by Bahubali who erected a throne and adharmachakra ('wheel of the law') over them several miles in height and circumference.[4] The 14th centuryVividha Tirtha Kalpa mentions this establishment, stating:[5]
As per the canonical Jaina textMahanishith Sutra, theDharmachakra Tirtha established by Bahubali is recognized as the abode ofChandraprabha, and Takshashila is also referred to as"Dharmachakra Bhumi," marking its significance as a center ofJainism.[6]
While there is limited information about the subsequent period, it is noted that during the medieval era, Takshashila faced challenges due to the proliferation of fraudulent ascetics and a lack of proper sustenance, leading to restrictions onJaina ascetics' wandering in the region, as documented in six ancient Jaina texts known as theChedasūtras.[6]
Emperor Samprati built a Jaina temple known as"Kunala Stupa" in honor of his fatherKunala. During Samprati's rule, the extent of the wandering of Jaina monks developed multifold times, and later also included this region.[7]
According to thePrabhavakacharita, by the second or third century CE, Takshashila had approximately 500 Jaina temples and was home to a significant Jaina population. However, a devastatingplague struck the city, leading to widespread death and chaos.[8] The Jaina community sent aSravaka named Virchand toNadol, who conveyed their suffering to Acharya Manadevasuri. Suri gave "Laghu Shanti Stava," stating that reciting it would alleviate the plague. Following the recitation, the plague subsided within a few days. However, in the third year, the Turks devastated the city.[9]
According to Acharya Dhaneswarasuri's "Shatrunjaya Mahatmya," Javad Shah, a merchant from Mahuva, renovatedPalitana temples inVikrama Samvat 108. He retrieved an image ofRishabhanatha from Takshashila and established it as the principal deity at the principal shrine amongst Shatrunjaya temples.[10]
Excavations in Takshashila support these traditions. Dr. Sir John Marshall noted that Indo-Greek kings displaced the city from its fortified position and settled it inSirkap during the early years of the second century BCE. The city remained inhabited through theGreek,Shaka,Pahlava, andKushan periods. Numerous small and large temples have been discovered along the main road of Sirkap. Dr. Marshall concluded that the temples in blocks 'F' and 'G' of Sirkap are Jaina temples due to their architectural similarities withKankali Tila, a Jaina stupa, found inMathura.[4] In block 'G,' located on the right side of the main road, numerous ruins of large buildings have been found, characterized by the presence of small temples alongside these structures, which were accessible to devotees. This evidence strongly supports claims by the Jaina tradition that Takshashila was a significant center forJainism.[4]
The presence of Pakistani Jains in modern Pakistan is unclear. Prior to 1947, there werePunjabi,Marwadi andGujarati communities of Jains in thePunjab andSindh regions. All of them migrated to India during thepartition in 1947, thus ending the thousands of years of presence of jainism in the region.
Bhabra (or Bhabhra) is an ancient merchant community from Punjab which mainly followsJainism.[11][12]
The original home region of the Bhabras is now in Pakistan. While practically all the Bhabras have left Pakistan, many cities still have sections named after Bhabras.
Sialkot: All the Jains here were Bhabra and mainly lived in Sialkot and Pasrur. The Serai Bhabrian and Bhabrian Wala localities are named after them. There were several Jain temples here before partition of India.[13]
Pasrur: Pasrur was developed by a Jain zamindar who was granted land by Raja Maan Singh.Baba Dharam Dass belonged to the zamindar family who was murdered on a trading visit.[14]
Gujranwala: Two old Jain libraries managed by Lala Karam Chand Bhabra were present here which were visited by Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar.[15]
Lahore: There were Jain temples at localities still called Thari Bhabrian and Gali Bhabrian.[16]
The total population of the region that composes contemporary Pakistan was approximately 29,643,600 according to the final census prior to partition in 1941. With the exception of theFederally Administered Tribal Areas, alladministrative divisions in the region that composes contemporary Pakistan collected religious data, with a combined total population of 27,266,001, for an overall response rate of 92.0 percent. Similar to the contemporary era, where censuses do not collect religious data inAzad Jammu and Kashmir andGilgit–Baltistan, the total number of responses for religion is slightly smaller than the total population, as detailed in the table breakdown below.
The original Gori Temple with 52 domes,NagarparkarSymbolic & Historical Artwork in the original Gori Temple
Nagar Bazaar temple is present in the main bazar of the Nangar Parkar town. The structure of the temple, including the shikhar and the torana gateway is completely intact. It was apparently in use until theindependence ofPakistan in 1947, and perhaps for some years even after that. There is also a ruined temple outside of the town.
Bhodesar Jain mandir, 7.2 km from Nagar, was the region's capital during Sodha rule. Remains of three temples, are present. In 1897, two of them were being used as cattle stalls and the third had holes in the back. The oldest temple, was built in the classical style with stones without any mortar, built around 9th century. It is built on a high platform and reached by a series of steps carved into the rock. It has beautifully carved huge stone columns and other structural elements. The remaining walls are unstable and partially collapsed. Parts of the building had been dismantled by the locals who used the bricks to construct their homes. It is perhaps the most spectacular of the monuments in Sindh. The two other Jain temples are said to have been built in 1375 CE and 1449 CE built of kanjur and redstone, with fine carvings and corbelled domes.
Karoonjar Jain mandir is at the base of the mountain.
Virvah Jain mandir, are a number of ruins of Jain temples here. One of the temples had 27 devakulikas in it. The ruins of legendary Parinagar are nearby. One of the temples is in good preservation.
Virvah Gori mandir is 14 miles from Viravah. The legendary temple with 52 subsidiaryshrines was built in AD 1375–6. It is dedicated toJain tirthankarGoriParshvanatha.
^The two Jain Libraries at Gujranwala by Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar in A Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts in the Library of the Deccan College, by Deccan College Library, Franz Kielhorn- 1884 -- Page 12
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![A Jain Stupa.[44]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aJain_Stupa_-_Sirkap.JPG)
