I’ll explain the “history of Jainism” in a simple, story-like way, similar to how people narrate the history of Buddha – but keeping it fully in line with Jain Dharma.

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1. Jain view: Dharma is eternal, not “founded”

In Buddhism people often say, “Buddha founded Buddhism” around 5th–6th century BCE.

In Jainism we do not say “Mahavir founded Jainism.”

• Jain Dharma is considered anādi–anant – beginningless and endless.
• In every time‑cycle, many Tirthankars appear and re‑teach the same eternal path of liberation (moksha).
• The present time‑cycle (avasarpinī) has 24 Tirthankars; Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath) is the 1st, and Mahavir Swami is the 24th.

So historically we talk of when and how it was last powerfully revived and organized, especially by Bhagwan Mahavir – similar to how people talk of Buddha for Buddhism.

You can read a simple explanation of when Jainism is said to “start” here:

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2. Very early period – First Tirthankar Rishabhdev

Long before Mahavir:

• Jain tradition says Bhagwan Rishabhdev taught

- non‑violence (ahimsa), - discipline, - and even basic arts of living (farming, crafts, social order).

• Many other Tirthankars came after him, each reviving the same path of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

These times are pre‑historical and extremely ancient, so we don’t place them in ordinary BCE dates. They are accepted on the basis of Jain scriptures and tradition.

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3. Near‑historical period – before Mahavir

By about 7th–6th century BCE in India:

• Religion in society had become ritualistic and violent (animal sacrifices, harsh social system).
• The true spirit of non‑violence and inner purity was weakening.

In this environment, two great reforming, renouncing traditions stand out:

• the Jain Tirthankars, ending with Mahavir, and
• Buddha, who came slightly later in time.

Jains believe Mahavir was continuing a very old śramaṇa (ascetic) tradition, not starting something entirely new.

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4. Life of Bhagwan Mahavir – like the role of Buddha in Buddhism

Just as Buddha’s life is central in Buddhist history, Mahavir’s life is central in Jain history.

Very briefly:

• Birth: Vardhaman Mahavir, 24th Tirthankar

- Born near Vaishali (present Bihar). - Śvetāmbara tradition: 599–527 BCE (72 years life). - Digambar dates differ slightly, but same general era.

• Royal life and renunciation

- Born as a Kshatriya prince, lived in comfort in his younger years. - At age 30, he renounced everything and became an ascetic.

• 12 years of intense tapas and meditation

- Lived with almost no possessions. - Faced heat, cold, hunger, insults, and injuries with full equanimity. - Practised deep dhyān and severe austerities.

• Keval‑jnān (omniscience)

- At about 42 years, he attained Keval‑jnān, complete and perfect knowledge. - At this moment he is a Tirthankar in the fully manifest sense – a Ford‑maker who shows the crossing from saṃsār to moksha.

• Teaching for about 30 years

- Established the Jain Sangh (fourfold: monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen). - Taught the path summarized as: - Ahimsa – non‑violence in thought, word, deed - Satya – truth - Asteya – non‑stealing - Brahmacharya – celibacy / chastity - Aparigraha – non‑possessiveness - Also stressed Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnān, Samyak Chāritra (Right Faith, Knowledge, Conduct).

• Nirvāṇa (liberation)

- At Pāvāpurī (in Bihar region) at age 72. - This nirvāṇa is remembered on Diwali by Jains.

You can see a simple life‑story of Mahavir here: and a concise outline here:

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5. After Mahavir – formation of the Jain community

Like Buddhists speak of Buddhist councils and monastic orders after Buddha, Jains speak of the Sangh after Mahavir:

• His main disciples (Ganadhars) preserved his teachings.
• Over time, these were arranged into Agams (scriptures) in the Śvetāmbara tradition; Digambars have their own classical texts based on the tradition of Acharyas like Kundkund.
• The community of monks, nuns, and lay followers spread Jain Dharma through India.

Later, due to differences in practice and scriptural history, the two principal traditions took shape:

• Śvetāmbara – monks wear white robes; follow one set of preserved Agams.
• Digambar – monks remain nude, emphasising total non‑possession; accept a different scriptural line.

But both agree on:

• The 24 Tirthankars,
• the central role of Mahavir,
• and the core Jain principles of ahimsa, aparigraha, and the three jewels.

For a short JainKnowledge summary of Mahavir’s life, see:

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6. If we parallel it with “history of Buddha”

• For Buddhism, people often say:

“Buddha lived ~5th century BCE, attained enlightenment, taught Dharma, and that is the start of Buddhism.”

• For Jainism, in a very rough parallel way we can say:

“Mahavir lived in the 6th century BCE, attained Keval‑jnān, taught the eternal Jain Dharma in a clear organized form, and from his time onward we have the historically visible Jain community.”

But the key Jain difference is:

> Jainism is not considered ‘founded’ by Mahavir. > He is the 24th in a line of Tirthankars who appear again and again, re‑revealing the same eternal path.

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This is the simplest, faithful way to tell the “history of Jainism” in story form, similar to how people speak of the life of Buddha, while respecting Jain belief that Dharma itself is timeless.