Introduction

• The Buddhist and Jain traditions of history deserve attention for their contributions to the evolution of historiographical tradition in ancient India.
• Both Buddhist and Jain scholars felt the need to record the past and contemporary events of historical nature in their respective works.
• They, like the Hindus, presented history in literary form and incorporated historical subjects in their writings.
• Both traditions have historical and semi-historical works, which include historical narratives, dynastic genealogies, chronology, biographies, and chronicles.
• There were different schools of historical writing within the Buddhist and Jain communities, each contributing to the compilation and preservation of historical records.
• Like Sanskrit literature, both Buddhist and Jain literatures contain works of historical value.
• Jain historical literature is notable for its variety, vastness, and richness and is of special importance in the study of ancient history.
• The Buddhist and Jain historical traditions are preserved in different classes of works from different periods, each with its own authenticity and value.

Buddhist Historiography

The Vinaya Pitaka

• The three Pitakas—Vinaya, Sutta, and Abhidhamma—are key Buddhist works of historical importance, ascribed to the period from the 5th century BC to the 1st century BC.
• The historicity of these works is proven by the historical facts they contain.
• The Vinaya Pitaka offers valuable historical information about Magadhan rulers Bimbisara and his son Ajatasattu(Ajatasatru), their times, and the socio-economic and political life during the Buddha’s era.
• Bimbisara ruled the kingdom of Magadha with its capital at Rajagaha (Rajagrha), highlighting the economic prosperity of the capital.
• Ajatasattu is said to have employed ministers Sunidha and Vassakara to build a fort at Pataligama, later becoming Pataliputta (Pataliputra), to defend against the Vajjians.
• The republican states of Pava and Kusinara (Mallas) were in a flourishing condition during the Buddha’s time.
• The towns and cities associated with the Buddha and Buddhism in Majjhimadesa (Madhyadesa) include Rajagaha, Vesali (Vaisali), Saketa, Savatthi (Sravasti), Campa, Kosambi, Pataliputta, Kapilavatthu, and Varanasi.
• The first two Buddhist Councils held at Rajagaha (c. 483 BC) under Ajatasattu and at Vesali (c. 383 BC) during Kalasoka’s reign are briefly recorded.
• The Mahavagga provides information about Gautama’s attainment of enlightenment and the first sermon delivered at Saranath near Varanasi.
• It also records the history of the foundation of the Buddhist community (Samgha) and subsequent events over a century, presenting a systematic history of its development.
• The Cullavagga provides historical anecdotes about the Buddha’s life and the history of the constitution of the order.
• These two sections of the Vinaya Pitaka are important sources for the history of Buddhism.