Jats in Buddhism

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Jats have not stuck to any particular religion in past. They may be found in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Muslim, and Christian. Any religion, which preached oneness of God and condemned superstitions and idol worship easily appealed to and was adopted by Jats in large numbers at different times.

When Vedic Hinduism gave place to Pauranic idol worship religion began to be used by priests as a means of livelihood; superstitious and awe inspiring beliefs tales and rituals, were introduced in religion to frighten people into giving offerings to idols and priests who became self appointed agents of God; non Brahmins were debarred from studying Sanskrit and religious books to make them, easily exploitable and ignorant. Jats became Buddhists and remained so long after other people in India went back to Brahmanism consequent to the decline of Buddhism. Buddhist influence is still prevalent amongst the Jats. They don't eat meat, do not wear the sacred thread, and do not stick much for untouchability as other Indians do and respect saints. When Buddhism almost disappeared from. India, Jats became devotees of saints. Dhanna Bhagat, Haridas, Garib Das and Nishchal Das, who were Jats, became prominent saints at this stage.

1 Buddhism to again other religions
2 Buddhist sites with Jat connections
3 References
4 Author लेखक: Laxman Burdak लक्ष्मण बुरड़क

Buddhism to again other religions

After the fall of Kushan Empire country was divided in to small states. There is not much information available about important Jat state in a period of two centuries following Kushan rule. Though we have knowledge about jat king Kharavela of Kalinga who became veru poerful after fall of mauryan rule adopted Jainism. This is clear from Hathigumpha inscription near Bhubaneswar in Orissa.

In the beginning of fifth century we find Jat ruler Maharaja Shalinder with his rule extending from Punjab to Malwa and Rajasthan. This is proved from the Pali inscription obtained from village Kanswa in Kota state in year 1820 AD. We get following information from this inscription: ^[1] Maharaja Shalinder was the ruler Shalpur, known in the present by the name Sialkot. He established this state on his own power, which indicates that he was a monarch emerged from chieftain ship of a republic state. He had a powerful army full of strong warriors amongst whom he felt proud of glory of his caste. He had many small states under him and a rich treasury. He was a Kashyapvanshi (Suryavanshi) Taxak clan Jat. He had left Buddhism and adopted puranic religion and started vedic culture like performing yagyas etc. ^[2]