Jainism in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi Jains

Total population
~1,000
Languages
Bengali Indian Languages
Religion
Jainism

Jain population in Bangladesh is small, mainly located in urban areas like Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet, where they continue to preserve their cultural and religious practices despite challenges.

History

Jainism likely arrived in the Bengal region, including present-day Bangladesh, around the 5th century BCE. The religion flourished alongside Buddhism and Hinduism in ancient Bengal, especially during the Pala dynasties from 8th to 12th centuries and the Sena dynasty from 11th to 12th centuries. Jains received royal patronage, resulting in the establishment of temples and communities.

They contributed to the region’s cultural and architectural development. In 1879, Alexander Cunningham discovered a Jain image at Mahasthangarh, which was later moved to the Varendra Research Museum in 1912.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Jains moved to urban centers during British colonial rule. Following the Partition of India in 1947, many Jains relocated to India due to communal tensions and demographic shifts, leading to a significant decline in their population in Bangladesh.

See also

• Religion in Bangladesh
• Jainism in Bengal