Jainism in Shivalik and Narmada Valley Civilizations

India has been home to some of the world's oldest civilizations, many of which predate or coexisted with the well-known Indus Valley Civilization. Some of the most ancient civilizations in India include:

1. Narmada Valley Civilization (c. 800,000 BCE – 2,000 BCE)

• Considered one of the earliest prehistoric human settlements in India.
• Archaeological findings, including fossils of Homo erectus and early tools, suggest human habitation along the Narmada River for nearly a million years.
• Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (Madhya Pradesh), dated to around 5000 BCE, contain cave paintings that provide evidence of early human culture.

2. Shivalik Civilization (c. 2,000,000 BCE – 1,000 BCE)

• The Shivalik Hills region in present-day Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand has yielded fossils of prehistoric primates and mammals.
• Evidence of early human activity suggests that the region was home to some of the earliest human settlements in the Indian subcontinent.

The question of Jain presence in the Shivalik and Narmada Valley civilizations is an intriguing one, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates archaeology, textual analysis, and cultural anthropology.

The Shivalik and Narmada Valley civilizations are among the oldest in India, believed to predate even the Indus Valley Civilization. This article seeks to explore the possible roots of Jainism, one of the world's oldest religions, in these ancient civilizations.

Scholars, historians, and archaeologists have yet to devote extensive research to this field, making it an area that warrants further academic exploration. However, the archaeological pieces of evidence suggest the presence of Jainism in both these civilizations.

Archaeological Evidence

Direct evidence explicitly linking Jainism to the Shivalik or Narmada Valley civilizations remains limited. However, the presence of ancient rock shelters, inscriptions, and iconographic depictions suggests the possibility of early ascetic traditions, which might have included proto-Jain elements. Some scholars argue that certain pre-Mauryan artifacts exhibit features resembling later Jain iconography, though definitive identification remains debated.

Specific Instances from the Shivalik Region

1. Takarla (Himachal Pradesh) - Dated to 1000 BCE: Rock carvings discovered in Takarla depict human figures in meditative postures, bearing resemblance to later Jain iconography. These carvings suggest a long-standing ascetic tradition in the region.

2. Pinjore (Haryana) - Pre-Mauryan Period: Excavations at Pinjore have revealed ancient symbols and markings that some scholars believe may be connected to early Jain monastic traditions.

3. Morni Hills (Haryana) - Dated to 500 BCE: Ancient meditation shelters and rock-cut caves in Morni Hills indicate a tradition of renunciation, potentially linked to proto-Jain or other ascetic movements.

Specific Instances from the Narmada Valley

1. Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) - Dated to 5000 BCE: Prehistoric cave paintings in Bhimbetka depict figures in meditative postures. While not definitively Jain, these images align with the ascetic traditions central to Jain philosophy.                                                                     Bhimbetka Rock Shelters – Situated in the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. The sanctuary is part of the Vindhya mountain range and is a dry deciduous forest, rich in biodiversity.

2. Adamgarh Hills (Madhya Pradesh) - Dated to 3000 BCE: Rock shelters with engravings and evidence of early monastic living suggest that this area may have been used by ascetics, some of whom could have belonged to proto-Jain traditions.                                                                 Adamgarh Rock Shelters – Located near Hoshangabad (now Narmadapuram), in a forested region on the northern banks of the Narmada River. This region falls within the broader Satpura Forest Range, which consists of dry deciduous forests.

3. Navdatoli (Madhya Pradesh) - Dated to 2000 BCE: Terracotta figurines discovered here show seated figures with elongated earlobes, a characteristic often associated with Jain monks and renunciates.

4. Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh) - Dated to 1500 BCE: Excavations at this site have uncovered remains of what appear to be early monastic settlements, which may have housed ascetics following traditions akin to Jainism. 

Literary and Historical Correlations

The Jain tradition itself traces its origins to prehistoric times, with the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, being associated with an ancient past that precedes Vedic traditions. Certain Jain texts mention Rishabhanatha's influence in central and northern India, including the Shivalik and Narmada Valleys. While these references are largely hagiographical, they suggest that Jainism (or at least proto-Jain ideas) may have coexisted with early civilizations in these regions.

Additionally, some Jain scriptures hint at the presence of wandering ascetics in ancient times, indicating a longstanding tradition of renunciation that predated Mahavira and the historical codification of Jainism.

There are several stories in Jain scriptures related to different forests. I urge Jain historians to trace the mark in Vindhya and Satpura forests to link the archaeological findings. 

Interpretation in Light of Vedic References

ऋतस्य हि सदसों धीतिरदोत्स गाष्टेयों दृषमों गोमिरानट। उदतिष्ठत्तविषेणा रवेण महायन्ति वित्सं विव्याधा रजांसि।॥ 70. 74. 22

This Rigvedic verse, often interpreted with multiple meanings, has been examined from various perspectives, including Jain interpretations linking it to concepts of truth (ऋत) and cosmic order. Some scholars argue that the symbolism in Vedic literature hints at parallel traditions of spiritual pursuit, including proto-Jain influences.

From a Jain perspective, if we interpret this verse in connection with ascetic traditions, it may metaphorically reflect the ideals of a spiritual order emphasizing self-discipline and renunciation, fundamental to Jain philosophy.

ऋग्वेद में अर्हंतवाची एक ऋचा का अर्थ

Conclusion

While direct archaeological evidence of Jainism in the Shivalik or Narmada Valley civilizations is scarce, specific sites provide circumstantial evidence suggesting that ascetic traditions, potentially including proto-Jain elements, may have existed in these regions. The presence of rock shelters, meditative figures, and references in ancient texts supports the hypothesis that Jainism—or at least its foundational ideals—could have had a presence in these prehistoric societies. Further archaeological and textual research is required to establish a more definitive connection.

However, archaeological evidence from Bhimbetka, Adamgarh Hills, and Navdatoli suggests that Jainism may date back to the pre-Vedic period, while findings from Maheshwar indicate its presence at least as early as the Rigvedic era. These findings suggest that Madhya Pradesh possesses the oldest archaeological pieces of evidence about Jainism. 

Thanks, 

Jyoti Kothari 

(Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is an adviser, Vardhaman Infotech, a leading IT company in Jaipur. He is also ISO 9000 professional)