The Jainas believe that Jainism is the outcome of the teachings of twenty-four Tirthankaras. In the light of this statement, which one among the following is correct of Vardhamana Mahavira?

• A. He was not one of the twenty four Tirthankaras
• B. He was the first Tirthankara and the founder of Jainism
• C. He was the twenty-third Tirthankara, the first twenty-fourth Tirthankaras being considered legendary
• D. He was the last land and twenty-fourth Tirthankara, who was not considered as the founder of the new faith but as a reformer of the existing religious sect