In Jain Dharma, the word “Bharat” is mainly used in two important ways:

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1. Bharat Chakravarti (Bharat Maharaja)

• He is the eldest son of Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath), the first Tirthankar.
• He became a Chakravarti – a universal emperor who ruled the six continents (khand).
• It is said that the land called “Bharat‑varsh” (our Bharat/India) is named after Bharat Chakravarti.
• Meaning of the name: in Sanskrit, “Bharat” is often understood as “the one who bears / upholds / nourishes”, i.e., a great protector and supporter of his people.

You can read his detailed Jain story here

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2. Bharat Kshetra / Bharat Varsh (in Jain Cosmology)

• In Jain cosmology, in Jambudweep, there is a land called Bharat Kshetra or Bharat‑varsh.
• This is the region that roughly corresponds to the Indian subcontinent in our world.
• It is a karmabhumi – a land where tapas, vrat, dharma‑sadhana and Tirthankars’ teachings take place.

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So, in Jainism:

• Bharat = a great Jain emperor (Bharat Chakravarti), son of Rishabhdev.
• Bharat also = the holy land/region (Bharat Kshetra) in Jambudweep, where we humans live and practice dharma today.