Jainism the ancient religion to Hindus, Buddhas

Jainism is the oldest religion followed in India. In ancient india, Jambudweep - Bharatshetra was established by Adinath's son Bharat towards end of 3rd Kala of Utsarpini cycle. And Ikshwaku vansh (known as Surya vansh in Hindus) the the dynasty that ruled that region since known ancient history period since Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction. 

During Ramayana period (in 10,000 BCE) & Mahabharta (5000BCE) both Rama & Krishna followed Jainism as religions. Then around 5000BCE Mesopotamia/ Babylon started to gain power and unrest (Egypt/Greek/ Iran region) and started to migrate to India for spices trade. With them they brought culture of Gods and Myths to India. The great epics of Ramayana & Mahabharta of Dravidian were "spiced up" to see addition of flying gods from other dimensions. The tales of Magnanimity can be found in Egyptian/ Bablyon epics. From ~3000BCE to more recent times of 500BCE these Aryans migrated down the path of Ganges river and it took 3000 years of assimilation in local cultures of Hastinapur (Pandavas), Panchal, Yadu (Krishana's ancestors) kingdoms - maintaining their religions while adopting local rituals and started Bhraman culture to match "Shraman" culture of ascetics/ monks in Indian culture back then. Yadav dynasty which ruled from Mahabharta days to 500CE (with several ups and downs in power), was majority Jain for long time.

Till Nanda empire, Jainism was still the majority religion in India. Towards end of Nanda empire, Greeks (Yonas) started to arrive in India. Yonas with blue eyes and white bodies were welcomed by all brahamans & ancestors of Aryans. Kalyan muni (Calanus) travelled back with Greeks. Chinese philosophers also traveled to India during this time.

Maurya is famous Jain King after Nanda empire. Maurya's son Bindusar constructed Millions of Jain idols and thousands of Jain temples. But Bindusar's son, Ashoka was the rebellious cruel king who assassinated his own father, went on brutal war in nearby kingdoms. He praised Yonas and was heavy meat eater himself. After winning it all, Ashoka turned to Buddhism. And spread Buddhism as "law" of the land. Buddhism gained popularity due to their "Madham marg" philosophy - when u want someone to convert, go half way. It seems major reason of Jain Agams decline was not only 12 year famine, but decline of Jainism during Ashoka period. Jain acharyas migrated to south to gain support from Yadav & other southern Jain kings.

After Ashoka, there was religious unrest in india. Ashoka's grandson Samprati, again emerged as huge Jain Religion proponent. He again spread jainism by creating thousands of temples and idols of tirthankars. After Samprati again Jainism flourished, Brahaman culture becoming second most respected. Buddhists monks in this time were already focused on China and near india regions to spread buddhism. These monks traveled to far (as ashoka had created paths for spreading buddhism far outside india). They went to China and showed a warrior Yuezhi Kingdom a path to india. Yuezhi invaded majority of northern india (spanning from afganistan, pakistan to all the far east of Anga - but not ancient "jain bharatshetra" region). Yuezi established Kushan Kingdom in india that had Greek as first language, Vedic as first religion, followed by Buddhism in the kingdom. Jains were completed ousted from his kingdom. By this time of intense fights, Jainism was on major decline as Hindu brahaman culture came in 2nd majority after Buddhism in rest of india. 

But then came Gupta Empire (after 375AD), Vedic culture received huge support, not seen by any other religion. Hindus became dominant and they completely drove buddhists out from north region. South was dominated by Jains and Hindus. Budhhists found no place in india and declined to aboslute minimum, leaving Hindu as most dominant. Jains during these times tried to preseve their heritage but came time of Shakaracharya in ~750AD when all Jain literature was burned to ashes. Shankaracharya started culture of religious debates and looser had to join their "math/ sangha" and learn vedas. Hinduism became majority religion by 1200AD, when Mughals started to attack india. 

And all of you know what happened after Mughal invasions of India.

Despite such brutal history of India, Jainism remains a pious ancient religion. Yes Jain culture was not as progressive in early millennium, yes there are no evidence of colossal structures or art from Jains in ancient times, yet the teachings of "Samyak darshan, charitra & gyan" along with concepts of Soul, Karma & Anantvaad is greatest gift to humanity. A religion with Ahmisa as fundamental pillar is able to withstand 25,000 years of history of violence. There must be some absolute foundation strength in the religion for its followers, who are most educated and most progressive in the world today. Lets all keep it that way and help our future generations to feel proud in Jain culture.

Periods	50,000BCE	10,000BCE	5000BCE	3000BCE	500BCE	200BCE	300CE	1100CE	1700CE	1947
		Ramayana	Mhabharta	Harappa	Mahavira	Ashoka	Gupta	Mughal	British	Independence
start of religions in india	Jainism
					Buddhism (offshoot from Jainism)
				Aryan/Vedic Hinduism
								Muslim
									Christians
Diminant	Jainism					Buddhism	Vedic Hindu