This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the geographical background of Bihar and Bengal. It provides the distribution pattern of those religious centres whose structural remains have been excavated/explored, as well as those religious centres whose past existence is indicated by the discovery of sculptures. The book explores a comparative study of the distribution patterns of Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jaina religious centres in Bihar and the spatial contexts of their support systems. It describes the study of the distribution pattern of religious centres vis-a-vis the urban space and maritime trading centres. The book looks into the distribution pattern of these religious centres in the rural space. It describes the issue of patterns of interactions between the Jaina temples and socio-economic and political processes in the Purulia – Bankura area.