Thread by @IAMPMSM

#Jainism in Bengal & #Purulia

#Purulia was not a tribal land but one upon a time it was the centre stage of Jainism in Bengal with It’s rich culture and heritage.

Purulia had always been a centre of Rich art and culture for centuries. According to Kalpasutra both 23rd Trithankar Parashawanath around 9th -8th centuries BCE and 24th TrithankarMahavir visited this place around 6th centuries BCE

Thus Jainism started to spread in this region

Subsequently their follower also (Jain) started to migrate in this region

As the Jain influence spread a lot of Jain temples were constructed during centuries.

Today Jain Idols , temples and ruins have been found in more than 25 places in Purulia District also presence of Sarak Jain community prove the Jainism thrived in the region.

Below are the places where Jain Idols, temples and ruins has been found :

1. Pakbirra : Plethora of antiquities were discovered along with 5 temples with unique shapes

2. Sankra: Ancient Idols of Lord Parshwanath and Lord Shantinath excavated.

3. Anaijambad : Idols of Lord Adinath, Lord Parshvanath and Chandraprabhu bearing the mark of Pala era excavated

4. Sitapur : Idols of Adinath Bhagwan Chovisi excavated which is worshipped as Bhairavji

5. Bhangra Village : Chaumkhi idol of Mahavir Swami , Lord Adinath and Chandraprabhu Swami excavated

6. Lakhara Village : Idols Lord Adinath ( Chovisi) and Lord Chandraprabhu (Panchtirthi) excavated from a field

7. Dhadhki: Idols of Lord Adinath, Lord Chandraprabhu which were

Worshiped as Kaal Bhairav.

8. Lagara : 3 Idols of Jain Tirthankars were excavated and placed in the local Kali Temple

9. Barmasia : Idols of Adinath, Ajithnath ,Chandraprabhu and various Chovisis

10. Paruldiha : a 5ft tall Idol of Lord Adinath excavated

11. Bhasardanga - Chaumukhi Idol excavated from a field

12. Tusiama : Idol of Lord Adinath excavated

13. Manbazar : Idols of Lord Adinath and Shantinath Bhagwan excavated

14. Polma : 7ft headless Idol of an Jain Tirthankar excavated along with Lord Adinath & Sambhavnath

15. Paglara : Idol of Parshvanath excavated

16. Charrah : ancient relic of Jain temple excavated

17. Golamara : 7ft Idol of Lord Mahavir without hands excavated

18. Raghunathpur: 1200 years ancient Idol of Parshvanath excavated

19. Banda : Ruins of Jain temple

20. Deulghata: Ruins of beautiful Jain temple

21. Para: 2 temples and ancient Idol of a Tirthankar worshiped as a Bhairav

22. Telkupi : 1200 years old Jain temple

Siddheshwar Shiva Temple, Krosjhuri ( Kasjuri) Kashipur , Purulia

Once upon a time it was a Jain temple but now it’s converted to Shiva temple

Only one this enticed me is Ancient Lion Statue. Seems this statue is date back to around 400- 200 BC

Lion is symbol of Mahāvīra , but not found any written documents from Archaeological Survey of India.

Till date majority of artefacts , temple & idols excavated in most of the sites in Purulia are related to Jainism .

And as per last census approx 19% inhabitants in Purulia District are Tribe (ST).

So I don’t know my people dubbed as a treble land where as 80 % of people are from non tribal backgrounds.

So now I hope it is clear to everyone that tribles were not the first
settler or original inhabitants in this land they were migrated during Muslim invasion

Bcz Historical records suggest that during 3rd century to 13th century Jain settlement flourished in the western part of West Bengal covering the present districts of Purulia, Bankura and the state of Jhargram.

Now a few interesting questions arises

Who built these temples ?

If Jains then who were they ?
From where they came ?

Are they still present in this areas and still follow the Jainism?

If yes then why they r not limelight?

Have they deviated from mainstream Jain society?

Why they came to Purulia or surrounding regions?

When they came this ?

What they did for living?

What were the reasons behind decline & fall of Jainism in this region ?

Statute of Rishavdeva at Sanka village in Purulia ( Near Raghunathpur township area)

One of the ancient Jain Temple now converted to Shiv Temple

Located in Budhpur village, Purulia

Some historical evidence and research shows that due to invasions on Muslims and Bargis in this region local Jain Sarak community supported the Hindu kings and subsequent phases allowed Brahmin to build up shiva temple and some areas they left with no option gave up these places

Parasnath Hill (Shikharji) is the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site) for the Jains, believed to be the place where 20 of the 24 Jain tirthankaras along with many other monks attained Moksha (salvation)

+

And all the Jain Sites in Purulia under approx 100 KM radius from this place
So it was one of the main reason Purulia and nearby regions ( Earlier Mabhum/ Singbhum) to be the part of Jain cultural and heritage

Geographical Map of Purulia from ancient times 👇👇

Purulia is the westernmost district of West Bengal with an all-India significance because of its tropical location, its shape as well as function like a funnel.

It funnels not only the tropical monsoon current from the Bay to the subtropical parts of north-west India, but also acts as a gateway between the developed industrial belts of West Bengal and the hinterlands in Orissa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Cities around Purulia:

All the majors cities are around under 50 -150KM radius
1. Ranchi
2.Jamshedpur/Tata
3.Bokaro
4.Burnpur and Asansol
5.Dhanbad
6.Sindhu

Purulia was famous for earlier mining works and was a main trading route in ancient times

British govt set up railway lines around 1880

Also in ancient times it (Purulia) was connected with main trading routes of India through Tamralipti , the Ancient Copper Port was located in the present day town of Tamluk, in Midnapur, West Bengal.

The name 'Tamralipta' comes from tamra or copper, which was mined nearby at Ghatsila (now Purulia) in Singbhum district of Bihar and exported through this port.

Interestingly, even today, almost 2500 years later, these copper mines are active and copper is mined by Hindustan Copper Limited, a PSU company. Tamralipti or Tamralipta means 'coated with copper'.

Tamralipto was Located on the banks of the Rupnarayan River, ships sailed along the coasts of Bengal and Myanmar to the Malaya Peninsula, Indo-China and beyond from here.

The port of Tamralipti was the gateway for sailors, traders and missionaries of ancient kingdoms on the east coast. Sailing Vessels laden with Indigo, silk and copper went out from this port in large numbers to distant countries like Ceylon

(Sri Lanka), the coast of Africa and the ports on the Arabian Sea.

According to the literary and archaeological evidences the port town of Tamralipti flourished from 3rd century BCE to 8th century CE.

Many foreign travelers also mention the port of Tamralipti in their work. Roman philosopher and voyager Pliny talks about Taluctae (Tamralipti) as thriving port in his book Natural History in 2nd century CE.

Famous Chinese pilgrims like Fahien, Hiuen Tsang and Itsing who visited Tamralipti left vivid accounts of the flourishing port city.

But subsequent time the great port of Tamralipti went into decline from 7th century CE onwards and completely forgotten until Bengali writer Gour Das Byasack rediscover it in 1889

Ancient trade route map in reference with India and world

Now from the historical facts it is evident after 23rd and 24th Tirthankaras Parasnath & Mahavir graced this place. In subsequent times a Jain community called Śrāvaka or Sāvaga (present days Sarak) migrated to this land ( Manbhum/Singbhum/Purulia) from the Western Part of India

According to Santosh Kumar Kundu, the Saraks arrived from the northwestern region of India, presently in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. In the region between the rivers Barakar and Damodar, two democratic republics, Shikharbhum and Panchakot, flourished.

According to Ramesh Chandra Majumder, the Jain scholar Bhadrabahu, the second Louhacharya and the author of Kalpa Sutra may have come from the Sarak community

During British periods archaeological excavations began here with the advent of British rule. These findings were published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Reports of the Archaeological Survey of India and Records of Geological Survey of India +

+ which were invoked by administrator/ ethnographers like S.R. Tickell, E.T. Dalton and L.S.S.O’Malley, when they respectively wrote the Memoir on Hodesum, Descriptive Ethnology of Bengal and the Gazetteer.

We are informed that Singhbhum was the seat of civilization right from the Stone Age. This is borne out by the discovery of Paleolithic chert flakes and knives along the banks of the river Roro near Chaibasa and Sanjay near Chakradharpur by Capt. Beeching in 1868.

Moreover, gold coins of Roman origin were found in Bamanghatty in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa, which evidence the existence of a trade route between ancient sea port of Tamralipta and Bamanghatty, as well as Porahat, probably in 7th century AD.

After various historical and ethnographic research historian and social scientist concluded that “ Three community (society) Controlled large areas of this land .

1) Bhuiyans
-A simple race’ who were ‘rich in cattle, and industrious cultivators)

2) Sarak Jain -Śrāvaka -migrated to Subarnarekha valley & established a small state in this area

They r the people who started mining of Copper ore for the first time in Singhbhum Shear Zone which is now famous for mining of precious metals such as Copper, Gold,Silver & Uranium

The Saraks of this area also mastered the art of smelting of copper. It is also evident that famous ancient port of Tamralipta owes its name to the copper mined and processed in the Sarak country of Ruam which was exported to the South East Asian kingdoms in a large scale.

3) Ho Tribe - they migrated from North and central India and finally settled in this region - Jharkhand , Purulia , Orissa etc

So initially Bhuiyans were settled and Sarak Jain migrated and settled in this region and at the Ho tribe started to migrate there , later Ho tribe joined hand with Muslim they forced to evacuate Sarak from this region

Continue...

In Sankra Village of Purulia , A SARAK Village -Statue of Lord Rishavdeva and Lord Candraprabha are worshiped as a God Dharmaraj

Location :60KM from Dhanbad/Asansol/Bokaro

20KM from Purulia

In around 1994 a newly Jain Temple constructed in this area 👇👇

1 KM from the Sankara Village

Shankheshwarpuram Jain Temple 👇👇

Shankheshwarpuram Jain Temple, Jhapra ,Purulia

So outsider ( Rest of the part of India) may not aware about this but influence of Jainism is still present and intact in these areas and Jain culture still dominate in this reason 👇👇

All these areas are dominated by SARAK community and still they present in these areas

As I said earlier Three community (society)Controlled large areas of this land

1) Bhuiyans

2) Sarak (Jain)- Reside in red marks areas

3) Ho Tribe

But actually who are this SARAKs?

The word “Sarak‟which is derived from the word „Shravaka‟. The word „Shravaka‟ means hearer (√sru+ak).

Who are the Shravakas?

The Jain source Kalpasutra cities that from the very beginning of Indian civilization, some people used to practice +

+ “Ahimsa‟ culture. The above source used the term „Ahrit‟ culture instead of ahimsa.

Even in the „Rigveda‟ and „Srimadvaggbadgita‟ the term ahimsa and its practice is cited. The ancestor of this culture is Rishabhadeva or Adideva.

According to Jain Kalpasutra the essence of Rishabhadeva‟s teaching was Sattya (truth), Ahimsa (non-violence), Asteya (Non-stealing) and Aprigraha (not taking other things).

He divided his disciples into four Parts

Sadhu
Sadhwi
Shravaka
Shravika

Shravakas and Shravikas are those persons who are devoted to the welfare of soul even living in the family life.

They are not like Sadhus or Sadhwis but they are Grihi Sanyasis (the monk living in a family).

Over the times gradually the word Shravaka transformed into a Sarak and 90 % of these Sarak bear the Gotra “Rishavdeva or Adideva”

At the time of advent of Mahavir (6th century B.C) Saraks of Manbhum helped them immensely to preach Jain Religion in the area.

Major General Edward Tuite Dalton , Commissioner Chota Nagpur (Present days Purulia & Jharkhand) also was an anthropologist in British India (1855-1875 ) visited this region and mentioned that the Saraks were the early settlers in the region.

He mentioned that in Purulla, Manbhum and adjoining regions there is a community called Sarak who represents the human relics of Jainism. In their day to day life they follow strict discipline and certain austerities .The saraks don’t not kill any animal.

They don’t take water before sunrise. By religion they follow Jainism . Their main deity is Parasnath

One of the article he ( Edward Tuite Dalton) written -

“ In 1863 , I halted at a place called Jampra, 12 miles from Purulia - and was visited by some villagers who struck me as having a very respectful and intelligent appearance.” They called themselves Sarawaks.

They prided themselves on the fact that under any government not one of their community had ever been convicted of heinous crime.

They are represented as having great scruples against taking life.

They must not eat till they have seen the sun and they venerate Parsvsnatha.

There are several colonies, of the people in Chotanagpur proper, they have not been there for more than seven gene­ rations and they all say that they originally came from pachete

Contrasted with the Munda and Kol race , they are distinguished by their fairer complexions, regular features and a peculiarity of wearing the hair in knob rather high on the back of the head.

They are enterprising, and generally menage to combine trade with agricultural pursuits, doing business both as farmers and money lenders .

So E T Dalton halted at Present days Jhapra Village , still occupied by Sarak and these region also still dominated by Sarak .

As I already mentioned earlier about newly built Jain Temple in this area in 1990’s

60 KM from Asansol & Dhanbad , 20 Km from Purulia

Since the ages they may have faced thousands of problems but this Sarak Jain Community tried to uphold the Jain philosophy and teaching in their life but Jainism Started to decline in this region

Though actual historical data is not available but after reading lots of research papers, it seems to me decline of Jainism started during the decline of Tamralipta port as it was the main trading port in Eastern Part of India and Exit point to China , Far East and also to south

As they were mainly involved with copper mining so it hurt their economy very badly and some people started to migrate from this region.

And Muslim invasion made it more difficult .

During Moghul period- Jaigirdar in Bengal and Bihar attempted to defy Akbar’s Authority .

So Akbar appointed Hindu governors of Bengal, of Whom Todor Mall was the first . The second was Raja Man Singh of Jaipur , who ruled Bengal from 1589 to 1604

During that period Sarak were living near South of Purulia that is Manbazar area.

It is said that ( Local Sarak People) , during visit of Man Singh in this place he encountered with Sarak Beautiful Girl , then Kidnap and married her .

As position of Women was higher in their society so they revolted against Raja Man Singh and force to evacuated the places.

Soon they left the Manbazar with their belongings and families and move Panchakot area .

A local Hindu King Panchakot Raja gave them the place to live in and distributed the land to them . It is said that 1400 families moved to Panchakot and that was there last migration

So Panchakot Raja vested land and power to them and made Zamindars to all by distributing land and villages . So during that period assimilation started with Hinduism , later periods they fully dissolved with Hinduism but with our trivialised their values.

They still follow & practice the philosophy and teaching of Jainism. Their food habits, cultures, languages, rituals , school of thoughts, totally different from the locals .

In Purulia District they considered as a higher caste & they also distributed land to various people

Saraks food habit, their separate cultural and religious facade has alienated them from other non-vegitarian castes especially from Brahmins. They were jealous for their (Saraks) culture.

But the later stage The Maharaja of Kashipur, Panchakote Raj Estate helped to bridge the gaps between other societies and soon they (Other community ) accepted them as a higher caste

It can be found in every habitat of Saraks a Hari or Vishnu mandir. No Durga or Kali temple can be found in any village exclusive inhabited by Saraks.

Now a day‟s worship of Durga has been introduced in some Sarak villages but there is no scope of sacrificing goat or any other animals or birds. They now also worship „Shiva‟ as a replica of Rishavdeva.

So Saraks and Jainism was the dominant power of entire Manbhum ( Present Days Purulia )!during 5-13 century A.D. before tribal and Muslim invasion.

They built various Jain temples and Idols. Their relics and ruins cited in various part of Manbhum.

The archaeological evidences proved the rich culture and glorious past of Purulia.

But in present scenario most of it is in bad condition. Many Jain idols are stolen. The temples are broken down day by day.

The local bodies, State govt. and Archeological Survey of India should take proper action to save the rich cultural heritage and protect these site and promote Tourism in this land.

Now let’s try to understand what Jain Philosophy is ?

Jaina philosophy is explained as that philosophy which explains the way of spiritual progress of the Soul, which is an essential aspect for the attainment of moksha.

By its ethical values, Jainism has moulded the individuals into high graded moral values.

Jaina philosophy has the doctrinal basis of Metaphysics-Ontology, Cosmology- Cosmography, Theology-Mythology, Epistemology-Psychology, logic- dialectics and ethics-rituals.

All these different aspects make Jaina religion a well developed comprehensive, philosophical and religious system.

And Jain doctrines are broadly divided into - 1)Philosophical & 2) Practical

1) Philosophical : Jain philosophy includes - ontology, metaphysics, and Psychology

2)Practical : The Practical doctrines include ethics and asceticism and the life of the householders.

Then question is what is the “Aim of Jain Philosophy?

Jain Philosophy based on foundation of reality and the idea of the “Self” or “Soul”.

And it (Self/soul) is the fundamental conception of Jain Philosophy.

According to Jainism the ultimate goal of human life is to achieve the perfection . To achieve this aim , the Jain Philosophy rendered great emphasis on individual efforts in the moral and spiritual aspects.

The aim of Jain Philosophy is to attain moksha through full progress of the qualities of the soul.

And to attain moksha , Jain philosophy laid down the path in the form of three jewels i.e right faith, right knowledge and right conduct , collectively called as “Ratnatraya “.

Now these three jewels taken together constitute the path of moksha .

The path of moksha according to Jaina philosophy is primarily ethical.

Moral discipline is a necessary condition for the path leading to self-realization.

Jain Metaphysics 👇👇

There are thousands of ancient Jain idols, statues and artefacts date back to 300BC-1500 AD scattered in this Region (Purulia) , nothing concrete done by Government, only dumbed this district poor and tribal 👇👇

This is another Lord Adinath/Rishavdeva Statue in Rajora Village , Purulia

This statue is in Charra , Purulia 👇👇

Lord Parshvanatha Idol excavated near Kasai river Purulia Jharkhand boarder