Samrat Samprati’s Missionary Activities and Jain Patronage — Ujjain, Sada-Vratas, Afghanistan | UPSC Ancient History MCQ

With reference to Samrat Samprati's contributions to the spread of Jainism, consider the following statements:
1. Samprati sent missionaries to regions including Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (Burma) to propagate Jainism.
2. He established approximately 700 Sada-vratas (Charitable Houses) that provided free food, shelter, and medical care.
3. Samprati ruled from major hubs like Ujjain and Pataliputra, ensuring that Jain institutions received state patronage.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: 1, 2 and 3

All three statements are correct. The Samrat Samprati Museum was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in Koba, Gandhinagar, on Mahavir Jayanti (31st March 2026), bringing renewed focus on Samprati's extraordinary contributions to Jainism.

Statement-wise Analysis

• Statement 1 — Correct: Samprati systematically sent missionaries beyond the Mauryan heartland. Accounts suggest emissaries were sent to Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), and even parts of Central Asia, attempting to make Jainism an international faith. He first sent Mauryan soldiers disguised as Jain monks into 'non-Aryan' (unconquered/tribal) territories.
• Statement 2 — Correct: Samprati established approximately 700 Sada-vratas (Charitable Houses) across the empire. These centres provided free food, shelter, and medical care to the poor, travellers, and the ascetic community, reflecting the Jain principle of compassion (Karuna).
• Statement 3 — Correct: Ruling from major hubs like Ujjain and Pataliputra, Samprati ensured Jain institutions received royal patronage and protection. He aligned the state's welfare programs with the Jain principle of compassion.

Samprati's Temple Construction Legacy

• Traditional Jain texts credit him with building 1,25,000 new temples (derasars) and renovating 36,000 older ones.
• He commissioned and consecrated over 12.5 million idols of the Tirthankaras made of stone and metal.
• Many ancient Jain temples in Western India without specific donor inscriptions are traditionally attributed to his reign.

Geographic Spread of Jainism under Samprati

Samprati successfully rooted Jainism in: Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Saurashtra (Gujarat), and Rajputana (Rajasthan).