Jain and Buddhist Monastic Endowments and Land Grants (c.3rd century BCE–11th century CE)

1. Ashoka’s edicts normalize imperial religious gifting

   Jan 1, 260 BCELabels: Ashoka, Mauryan Empire

   • Kandahar Edict
   • UNESCO Mansehra

2. Barabar caves dedicated to Ajivikas by Ashoka

   Jan 1, 258 BCELabels: Barabar Caves, Ajivikas

   • Barabar Caves
   • Barabar Caves

3. Dasaratha continues Mauryan cave endowments

   Jan 1, 230 BCELabels: Dasaratha, Barabar Caves

   • Barabar Caves
   • Lomas Rishi

4. Kharavela supports Jain monastic establishments at Udayagiri

   Jan 1, 100 BCELabels: Kharavela, Udayagiri

   • Hathigumpha
   • Udayagiri Caves

5. Sanchi inscriptions show broad-based Buddhist giving networks

   Jan 1, 50Labels: Sanchi, Lay Donors

   • Sanchi Stupa
   • Sanchi Stupa

6. Regional authorities fund infrastructure near Buddhist sites

   Jan 1, 319Labels: Kanakerha Inscription, Local Chief

   • Kanakerha
   • Sanchi Stupa

7. Gupta-era royal donation recorded at Sanchi

   Jan 1, 405Labels: Chandragupta II, Sanchi

   • Sanchi Inscription
   • SIDDHAM

8. Gunaighar copperplate records an institutional land grant

   Jan 1, 507Labels: Gunaighar Copperplate, Vainyagupta

   • NTU Text
   • NTU CCBS

9. Barabar caves repurposed; older endowments lose protection

   Jan 1, 550Labels: Barabar Caves, Maukhari

   • Lomas Rishi
   • Vadathika

10. Odantapuri founded as a Buddhist center of learning

    Jan 1, 700Labels: Odantapuri, Pala Dynasty

    • Britannica Odantapuri
    • Dharmapala

11. Pala rule expands support for large Buddhist monastic centers

    Jan 1, 750Labels: Pala Dynasty, Mahavihara

    • Dharmapala
    • Britannica Odantapuri

12. Devapala’s Nalanda copperplate grants villages for a monastery

    Jan 1, 860Labels: Devapala, Nalanda

    • Nalanda Inscription
    • Museum Exhibit

13. Paschimbhag copperplate lists lands for multiple monasteries

    Jan 1, 950Labels: Paschimbhag Copperplate, Sylhet

    • Paschimbhag
    • Paschimbhag

14. By the 11th century, major monasteries face regional decline

    Jan 1, 1050Labels: 11th Century, Bihar Monasteries

    • Britannica Odantapuri
    • Nalanda Inscription