Samprati
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Samrat Samprati was the son of Ashoka's blind son Kunal and later the emperor of the Mauryan Empire which almost ruled the entire Indian subcontinent.
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[edit] Claim to throne
Kunal was from Ashoka's first queen, but was blinded in a conspiracy against his claim to the throne, thus Kunala was replaced by Dashrata as heir to the throne.
[edit] Early life
Kunala lived in Ujjain with his "Dhai Maa". Samprati was brought up there.
[edit] Meeting with Asoka
Years after being denied the throne, Kunala and Samprati approached Asoka's court in an attempt to claim the throne. Asoka could not deliver the throne to his blind son, but was impressed by Samprati's skills as a warrior and an administrator. So he made Samprati the successor to Dasaratha Maurya. After death of Dasratha, Samprati set on the throne of Mauryan empire.
[edit] Religion
Samprati was greatly influenced by the teachings of a Jain spiritual leader Arya Suhasti. He adopted Jainism. Samprati followed the lines of Ashoka. He also send jain scholars abroad for the spread of Jainism. But research is needed in this direction to find out where were those scholars send and what was the influence. Till now nothing has been done by historians in this direction.
It is said that Samprati built thousands of Jain Temples in India many of which are still worshipped. For example Jain temples at Viramgam and Palitana (Gujarat), Agar Malwa (Ujjain), etc.
Preceded by Dasaratha |
Mauryan Emperor 224-215 BC |
Succeeded by Salisuka |