Who Founded Jainism?

Who Founded Jainism? Jainism is somewhat similar to Buddhism, of which it was an important rival in India. It was founded by Vardhamana Jnatiputra or Nataputta Mahavira (599-527 BC), called Jina (Spiritual Conqueror), a contemporary of Buddha. Who founded Jainism before Mahavira? There is reasonable historical evidence that the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, the predecessor of