HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The
Jain Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle being ...
s in India are the last direct representatives of the ancient Shramana tradition. People who practice Jainism, an ancient religion of the Indian subcontinent, are collectively referred to as Jains.


Sangha

Jainism has a fourfold order of ''muni'' (male monastics), ''
aryika ''Aryika'', also known as ''Sadhvi'', is a female mendicant (nun) in Jainism. History In the traditional Digambara tradition, a male human being is considered closest to the apex with the potential to achieve liberation, particularly throu ...
'' (female monastics), ''
Śrāvaka Śrāvaka (Sanskrit) or Sāvaka (Pali) means "hearer" or, more generally, "disciple". This term is used in Buddhism and Jainism. In Jainism, a śrāvaka is any lay Jain so the term śrāvaka has been used for the Jain community itself (for example ...
'' (layman) and ''sravika'' (laywoman). This order is known as a ''sangha''.. Many Jains are in general caste.


Cultural influence

The Jain have the highest literacy rate in India, 94.1.% compared with the national average of 65.38%. They have the highest female literacy rate, 90.6.% compared with the national average of 54.16%. As per national survey NFHS-4 conducted in 2018 Jains were declared wealthiest of any community with 70% of their population living in top quintiles of wealth. The sex ratio in the 0-6 age group is the second lowest for Jain (870 females per 1,000 males).


Communities

Jains are found in almost every part of the country. There are basically about 110 different Jain communities in India. They can be divided into six groups based on historical and current residence. *
Oswal The Oswal (sometimes spelled Oshwal or Osval) are a Jain community with origins in the Marwar region of Rajasthan and Tharparkar district in Sindh. They claim to be of Rajput Rajput (from Sanskrit ''raja-putra'' 'son of a king') is a large ...
* Kanyakubj *
Bhandari Bhandari or Bhandary or Bhanderi is a surname found in various Hindu castes and communities in India and Nepal. Bhandari or Bhanderi means ''treasurer'', keeper of a storehouse. In Punjab, Bhandaris belong to the Khatri caste. In Nepal, the su ...
*
Khandelwal Khandelwal may refer to: * Khandelwal communities ** Khandelwal Vaishya, a Vaishnav Vaish trading community originally from Khandela. ** Khandelwal Jain or Sarawagi The Sarawagi or Saraogi or Sarawgi Jain community, meaning a Jain Śrāvaka, is ...
* Varaiya *
Agarwal Agrawal (anglicised as Agarwal, Agerwal, Agrawala, Agarwala, Agarwalla, Aggarwal, Agarawal, Agarawala) is a Bania community found throughout northern, central and western India, mainly in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Hi ...
*
Porwad Porwad (also known as Porwal) are mainly Jain or Hindu community that originated in southern Rajasthan, India. Ancient inscriptions written in Sanskrit refer to the community as ''Pragvata''. They originated from a region east of ancient Sh ...
*
Bagherwal Bagherwal is a Jain community originated from Baghera, a princely state in Rajasthan (in India). Presently this town is situated in Ajmer district of Rajasthan near Kekri. History Stone inscriptions from the eleventh century A.D. refer to thi ...
*
Humad Humad (or Humbad) is the name of an ancient Jain community originally from Gujarat and Rajasthan, India. Their traditional center is Pratapgarh, Rajasthan, Dungarpur and Sagwada region, often called Vagad Vagad (also known as Vagar, Hindi: ...
* Barar *
Jaiswal Jain Jaiswal Jains are one of the Jain communities of northern India. They are mainly located in the Gwalior/Agra region. The term "Jaiswal" indicated as being residents of a place named Jayas or Jais. Some authors have identified Jais with Jais ...
* Samaiya * Mahatma Jain * Gupta * Semriwal * Palliwal * Veerwal Major Jain communities: *
Jain Bunt The Jain Bunt are the Jainists of Bunt caste from Tulunaad area of India. It has been said that the Jain Bunts also have the highest per capita income in India. They have a feudal and martial race heritages, because of ties to the erstwhile ...
are a Jain community from Karnataka, India. * Jain Komati is a small community scattered all over South and
Central India Central India is a loosely defined geographical region of India. There is no clear official definition and various ones may be used. One common definition consists of the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, which are included in almos ...
and patrons of many Jain Institutions. *
Saraks Saraks ( bn, সরাক) (from Sanskrit Śrāvaka) is a community in Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa. They have been followers of some aspects of Jainism, such as vegetarianism, since ancient times, however, were isolated and separate ...
is a community in Jharkhand,
Bihar Bihar (; ) is a state in eastern India. It is the 2nd largest state by population in 2019, 12th largest by area of , and 14th largest by GDP in 2021. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part of West Ben ...
,
Bengal Bengal ( ; bn, বাংলা/বঙ্গ, translit=Bānglā/Bôngô, ) is a geopolitical, cultural and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, predo ...
, and Orissa. They have been followers of Jainism since ancient time. *
Porwal This category contains the 30 gotras of the Paudwal community, a Hindu, and Jain community (nyat) and Gujarat, originating from They are very well settled in maharashtra and gujrat. References Gotras Jain communities {{India-ethno-stu ...
community that originated in southern Rajasthan, India. * Parwar is a major Jain community from the Bundelkhand region, which is largely in Madhya Pradesh and Lalitpur District, Jhansi. *
Agrawal Jain Agrawals are the descendent of Maharaja Agrasen who was a legendary Indian king of Agroha, a city of traders. He is the descendant of Kush, son of lord Ram and he was born in 35th generation after lord Ram. He is credited with the establishment ...
of Hisar, Haryana. *
Bhabra Bhabra or Bhabhra is an ethno-linguistic and religious group who are from Punjab region which follow Jainism. History and Origin The Bhabra community has had a close historical association with Jainism. It is believed to be connected with the Bhav ...
of Punjab is an ancient merchant community from Punjab region which mainly follows Jainism. *
Sarawagi The Sarawagi or Saraogi or Sarawgi Jain community, meaning a Jain Śrāvaka, is also known as the Khandelwal. They originated from Khandela, a historical town in northern Rajasthan. The Sarawagi community owes its name to a strong historical a ...
or ''Khandelwali'' originated from
Khandela Khandela is a town and municipality in the Sikar district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Etymology Khandela is associated with the origin of Khandelwal Jains ( Sarawagi), Khandelwal Banias and Khandelwal Brahmins. The Khandelwal Jains have ...
, a historical town in northern Rajasthan. *
Bagherwal Bagherwal is a Jain community originated from Baghera, a princely state in Rajasthan (in India). Presently this town is situated in Ajmer district of Rajasthan near Kekri. History Stone inscriptions from the eleventh century A.D. refer to thi ...
from
Baghera Baghera is a village in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous de ...
(currently known as Ajmer district) a princely state in Rajasthan, a community of Digambar sect. *
Shrimal Bhinmal (previously Shrimal Nagar) is an ancient town in the Jalore District of Rajasthan, India. It is south of Jalore. Bhinmal was the capital of the Bhil king, then the capital of Gurjaradesa, comprising modern-day southern Rajasthan and nor ...
, originally from Rajasthan,
Shrimal Bhinmal (previously Shrimal Nagar) is an ancient town in the Jalore District of Rajasthan, India. It is south of Jalore. Bhinmal was the capital of the Bhil king, then the capital of Gurjaradesa, comprising modern-day southern Rajasthan and nor ...
town in southern Rajasthan. The Shrimal (Srimal) Jain are part of the
Oswal The Oswal (sometimes spelled Oshwal or Osval) are a Jain community with origins in the Marwar region of Rajasthan and Tharparkar district in Sindh. They claim to be of Rajput Rajput (from Sanskrit ''raja-putra'' 'son of a king') is a large ...
merchant and minister caste that is found primarily in the north of India. *
Oswal The Oswal (sometimes spelled Oshwal or Osval) are a Jain community with origins in the Marwar region of Rajasthan and Tharparkar district in Sindh. They claim to be of Rajput Rajput (from Sanskrit ''raja-putra'' 'son of a king') is a large ...
are a Jain community with origins in the Marwar region of Rajasthan and
Tharparkar district Tharparkar (Dhatki/ sd, ٿرپارڪر, ur, ), also known as Thar, is a district in Sindh province in Pakistan headquartered at Mithi. Before Indian independence it was known as the Thar and Parkar district. The district is the largest in Si ...
in Sindh. * Jaiswal are mainly located in the Gwalior and
Agra Agra (, ) is a city on the banks of the Yamuna river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about south-east of the national capital New Delhi and 330 km west of the state capital Lucknow. With a population of roughly 1.6 million, Agra is ...
region. *
Navnat Navnat (Nav = nine, nat = nyat or jnati) Jain community emerged as a result of blending of several smaller Jain communities in East Africa as well as in Gujarat itself in early 20th century. The original communities include these Jain communities ...
emerged as a result of blending of several smaller Jain communities in East Africa as well as in Gujarat itself in early 20th century. * Veerwal is a
Jain Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle being ...
community in the
Mewar Mewar or Mewad is a region in the south-central part of Rajasthan state of India. It includes the present-day districts of Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pirawa Tehsil of Jhalawar District of Rajasthan, Neemuch and ...
region in Rajasthan, India. *
Humad Humad (or Humbad) is the name of an ancient Jain community originally from Gujarat and Rajasthan, India. Their traditional center is Pratapgarh, Rajasthan, Dungarpur and Sagwada region, often called Vagad Vagad (also known as Vagar, Hindi: ...
is the name of an ancient
Jain Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle being ...
community originally from Gujarat and Rajasthan, India. * Varaiya is a Jain community with origins in the Madhya Pradesh, India.


Central India

*
Jainism in Bundelkhand Bundelkhand, a region in central India, has been an ancient center of Jainism. It covers northern part of Madhya Pradesh and southern western part of Uttar Pradesh. Bundelkhand was known as Dasharna or Jaijakabhukti in ancient times. The Be ...
* Jainism in Madhya Pradesh


Western India

*
Jainism in Gujarat Jainism has had a notable following in Gujarat. According to the 2011 Census of India, around 0.959% of the population of Gujarat is Jain. There are several old Jain temples that draw pilgrims from Jains around the world in places such as Palitan ...
(
Gujarati Jain Jainism has had a notable following in Gujarat. According to the 2011 Census of India, around 0.959% of the population of Gujarat is Jain. There are several old Jain temples that draw pilgrims from Jains around the world in places such as Palitan ...
) *
Jainism in Maharashtra Jainism has been present in Maharashtra since ancient times. The famous Ellora Caves demonstrate that Jainism was part of a thriving religious culture in Maharashtra in premodern times. History Jainism in Maharashtra has a long history. The ...
(
Marathi Jain Jainism has been present in Maharashtra since ancient times. The famous Ellora Caves demonstrate that Jainism was part of a thriving religious culture in Maharashtra in premodern times. History Jainism in Maharashtra has a long history. The ...
) **
Jainism in Mumbai Mumbai has one of the largest populations of Jainism, Jains among all the cities in India. Mumbai also has numerous Jain temples. One of the best known is the Babu Amichand Panalal Lord Rishabha, Adishwarji Jain Temple, Walkeshwar (Malabar Hi ...


Northern India

*
Jainism in Delhi Delhi is an ancient centre of Jainism, home to over 165 Jain temples. Delhi has a large population of Jains spread all over the city. It has had continued presence of a Jain community throughout its history, and it is still a major Jain cent ...
*
Jainism in Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh, a state in north India has a long association with Jainism. Today the state is home to a number of Jain monuments, such as Jain Temples and Jain Tirths. There are around 213,267 Jains in Uttar Pradesh according to 2011 Census o ...
*
Jainism in Rajasthan Rajasthan, a state in western India, has had a close historical connection with Jainism. Southwestern Rajasthan was the main centre for Svetambara Jainism. Major Digambara centres are in the northern and eastern parts of Rajasthan. Central an ...
(
Marwari Jain Marwari may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the Marwar region of Rajasthan, India * Marwari people, an Indian ethnic group originating in the Marwar region * Marwari language Marwari (मारवाड़ी, IAST: Mārwāṛī ...
)


Southern India

*
Jainism in Karnataka Karnataka, a state in South India has a long association with Jainism, a religion which enjoyed patronage of major historic kingdoms in the state such as the Rastrakuta Dynasty, Western Ganga, Kadamba and Chalukya dynasties and the Hoysala E ...
* Jainism in Kerala *
Jainism in North Karnataka Jainism in North Karnataka flourished under the Chalukyas, Kadamba, Rashtrakutas, and Vijayanagara empire. Imbued with religious feeling, patronage was extended towards the building of Jain temple and it garnered high repute among the people ...
*
Jainism in Tamil Nadu Jainism has an extensive history in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, although practiced by a minority of Tamils in contemporary times. According to the 2011 India Census, Jains represent 0.12% of the total population of Tamil Nadu, and are of ...
( Tamil Jain)


Eastern India

*
Jainism in Bengal Archaeological evidence shows Jainism was a significant religion in Bengal during the early historic period. Sarak Saraks are a Jain community in Bihar, Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand. They have been followers of Jainism since ancient times; ho ...
* Jainism in Nagaland


Diaspora

Virchand Gandhi Virachand Raghavji Gandhi (25 August 1864 – 7 August 1901) was a Jain scholar who represented Jainism at the first World Parliament of Religions in 1893. A barrister by profession, he worked to defend the rights of Jains, and wrote and lectur ...
made a presentation of Jainism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893, marking one of the earliest appearances of Jainism outside India. The World Jain Congress was held in Leicester in 1988. * Jainism in Europe * Jainism in Canada * Jainism in the United States * Jainism in East Africa - One of the oldest Jain overseas diaspora. Their number was estimated at 45,000 at the independence of the East African countries in the early 1960s. Most members of the diaspora belonged to Gujarati speaking Halari Visa Oshwal Jain community originally from the
Jamnagar Jamnagar () is a city located on the western coast of India in the state of Gujarat of Saurashtra region. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jamnagar district and the fifth largest city in Gujarat. The city lies just to the south of ...
area of Saurashtra. * Jainism in West Africa - Nigerian Jains Jains are one of the oldest religious and cultural groups, originating in India. Although small in number, there are many subcommunities of Jains such as Tamil Jains, Gujarati Jains etc. One of the lesser known groups are the Nigerian Jains. Originally emigrating from South Indian from Valparai, a small Tamil village, due to discrimination against their darker skin tone; they eventually settled in Lagos. Thus, the Nigerian Jain is in fact an offshoot of the even lesser known Tamil Jain. There, in Nigeria, they flourished and built a small but stable community. However, being perceived as outsiders (due to their restrictive diet and limited stature), they grew increasing insular and withdrawn from the wider Jain community and other Nigerians. Clashes with Nigerian government: In 1982, the Jain community clashed with Nigerian authorities over the lack of provisions for vegetarians in Lagos. The Jains believed that eating roots vegetables and meat was morally wrong, which were both staples of Nigerian cuisine. They asked for farming land to graze cows and grow aubergines (which they believed to be the vegetable with the least emotions). They were given a small farm away from the city, and thus were ostracized. Medical issues: Due to their small community and close relations, several generations along many Nigerian jains had conserved several recessive genes. This was phenotypically seen as short stature, Valgus of the knees and thoracic kyphosis resulting in a "T-rex walk". Due to the small gene pool, Dorothea Bennett actually travelled to Lagos as part of her work on developmental genomics.


Population

The Jain population in India according to 2011 census is 0.54% i.e. 4,451,753 (Males 2,278,097; Females 2,173,656) out of the total population of India 1,210,854,977 (males 623,270,258; females 587,584,719). The tabular representation of Jain population in the major states of India as per 2011 Census data released by the government is: It is likely that the actual population of Jains may be significantly higher than the census numbers. The Jain population in United States is estimated to be about 150,000 to 200,000. In Japan, there are more than 5,000 families who have converted to Jainism and is growing faster there.


See also

* Legal status of Jainism as a distinct religion in India *
List of Jains A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to: People * List (surname) Organizations * List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America * SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
*
Sarak Saraks ( bn, সরাক) (from Sanskrit Śrāvaka) is a community in Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa. They have been followers of some aspects of Jainism, such as vegetarianism, since ancient times, however, were isolated and separate ...


References


Citations


Sources

* * * * * Facets of Jainology : Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion and Culture/Vilas Adinath Sangave. Mumbai, Popular Prakashan, 2001 * * * *


External links


Hukonchu.com
- resource for Jain literature and religious information
"Jainism in America"
by Yashwant K. Malaiya
Jain Jagruti Centre, TorontoJain Temple at Palitana, Gujarat
- Vidhya Vihaar {{DEFAULTSORT:Jain Community Social groups of India Social groups of Gujarat Social groups of West Bengal Social groups of Rajasthan Social groups of Kerala Social groups of Karnataka Social groups of Maharashtra Social groups of Delhi Social groups of Tamil Nadu