Samprati
| Samprati Maurya | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurya Samrat | |||||
| Reign | 224–274 BC | ||||
| Predecessor | Dasharatha Maurya[1] | ||||
| Successor | Salisuka Maurya | ||||
| |||||
| Dynasty | Maurya | ||||
| Father | Kunal Maurya | ||||
| Religion | Jainism | ||||
Samrat Samprati was an emperor of Maurya dynasty who reigned from c. 224–274 BCE. He was the son of Ashoka's blind son, Kunala. He succeeded his cousin, Dasharatha as Emperor of the Maurya Empire.
Claim to throne
Kunala was the son of one of Ashoka's queens, Padmavati (who was Jain), but was blinded in a conspiracy to remove his claim to the throne. Thus Kunal was replaced by Dasharatha as the heir to the throne.
Early life
Kunala lived in Ujjain with his "Dhai Maa". Samprati was brought up there.
Meeting with Ashoka
Years after being denied the throne, Kunala and Samprati approached Ashok's court in an attempt to claim the throne. Ashoka could not deliver the throne to his blind son, but was impressed by Samprati's skills as a warrior and administrator and declared Samprati the successor to Dasharatha. After Dasharatha's death, Samprati inherited the throne of the Maurya Empire.
Reign
According to the Jain tradition he ruled for 53 years. Samprati was influenced by the teachings of a Jain monk, Suhastin. He also sent Jain scholars abroad to spread Jainist teachings. But research is needed to learn where those scholars went and their influence. Until now, this has not been accomplished. The Jaina text, Pariśiṣṭaparvan mentions that he ruled both from Pataliputra and Ujjain.[2]
Samprati and Jainism
Emperor Samprati is poorly highlighted in history. He is regarded as the "Jain Ashoka" for his patronage and efforts to spreading Jainism in east India. Samprati is said to have erected more than one lakh Jain temples and many more idols of Jain Tirthankars throughout his empire. He founded Jain monasteries even in non-Aryan territory, and almost all ancient Jain temples or monuments of unknown origin are popularly attributed to him. .
According to Jaina tradition, King Samprati had no children. He considered it the consequence of earlier Karma and observed the religious customs more scrupulously.
Notes
- ↑ - Emperor Samprati was Great Grand Son of Chandragupta Maurya, Grandson of Emperor Ashoka and son of Kunal. He died in 190 B.C.E. We do not find references to any invasion on India in Samprati’s reign. After the death of Samprati, his brother Shalishuk Mourya become his successor. More research on the life of Samprati is needed. References: History of Jaina Monachism by S.B. Deo Bharatiya Itihas: Ek Drishti by Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain Jain Dharm Ka Moulik Itihas Part II by Acharya Hastimal Maharaj
- ↑ Thapar, Romila (2001). Aśoka and the Decline of the Maurya, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-564445-X, p.187
References
- Sharma, Suresh K.; Sharma, Usha (2004), Cultural and Religious Heritage of India: Jainism, Mittal Publications, ISBN 978-81-7099-957-7
External links
Jainism or The Early Faith Of Asoka
| Samprati Maurya Dynasty | ||
| Preceded by Dasaratha Maurya |
Maurya Emperor 224–215 BCE |
Succeeded by Salisuka |