Here is a simple, Jainist-focused overview of Jain history:

• Jainism is considered an eternal dharma (anādi-ananta) and is traditionally traced through 24 Tirthankaras, spiritual teachers who revived the path in each time cycle. The first is Rishabhanatha, and the 24th is Mahavira. Mahavira’s life is a central pillar of Jain history. You can read more about Mahavira’s life and teachings here .
• Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is said to have renounced worldly life at age 30, attained kevala jnana (omniscience) after about 12 years of austerity, taught the core values of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha, and guided the Jain sangha (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen) for several decades before attaining nirvana. Learn more about his life and dates here .
• Before and after Mahavira, tradition also honors Parshvanatha (the 23rd Tirthankara) and earlier Tirthankaras. The lineage and stories of these teachers form a continuous thread in Jain history.
• After Mahavira, Jain communities split into two main traditions: Śvetāmbara (white-clad) and Digambar (sky-clad). Each tradition has its own textual collections, practices, and historical memory about early councils and canonical preservation. For a concise Jain perspective on Mahavira and the broader history, see these pages: and .
• Important historical developments include the transmission and preservation of scriptures, with councils and compilations shaping each tradition’s canon. You can explore brief summaries here: and .
• Over the centuries, Jain communities built temples, engaged in scholarship, and spread across various parts of India and beyond, while keeping the core path of Ratnatraya (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct) at the center.

If you want a focused, structured read about key figures and milestones in Jain history from a Jain Knowledge perspective, you can start with the Mahavira overview and then explore the Diwali/Nirvana connection and the two main sects. You can read more here and .