Samprati—the Patron of Jainism

Summary

This historical essay profiles King Samprati, a grandson of Emperor Aśoka, who is celebrated in Jain tradition as a zealous patron of the faith. After ascending the Mauryan throne, Samprati ruled from both Pāṭaliputra and Ujjain and became a devotee of Jainism under the guidance of the monk Ārya Suhasthi. The article recounts that Samprati organised grand festivals and processions honouring the Arihants and actively encouraged his subjects to embrace Jain values. Jaina texts credit him with establishing vast networks of temples, stupas, monasteries, rest houses and wells throughout his empire, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and regions further west. He is said to have built one and a quarter crore temples, two thousand rest‑houses and eleven thousand vāpikās and wells, spreading Jainism even to remote areas such as Amida, Damila and Maharatta and as far as Arabia, Persia and Ceylon. The narrative contrasts Samprati’s achievements with those of Aśoka, suggesting that Samprati’s support was as influential for the Jains as Aśoka’s patronage was for Buddhism. Scholars cited in the article argue that many monuments and inscriptions traditionally attributed to Aśoka may in fact have been commissioned by Samprati, who took the title Devanampiya Piyadasi. The king’s zeal extended to diplomatic efforts: he urged neighbouring rulers to protect Jain monks and sent emissaries across South India to foster the religion’s growth. His missionary initiatives led to the conversion of entire regions, making Jainism the predominant faith in parts of Mysore during the first millennium CE. The essay also notes that Samprati’s campaigns encouraged the construction of temples at sacred sites like Varanasi and Allahabad, and his influence lasted so long that numerous ancient Jain monuments of uncertain origin were popularly attributed to him. By presenting textual references and scholarly interpretations, the article portrays Samprati as a visionary monarch whose combined piety, political acumen and organizational skill catalysed the expansion of Jainism across India and beyond.