Why in News?
Samrat Samprati is in the news because on March 31, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The inauguration took place on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti to honour the Mauryan emperor’s legacy as a pioneer of non-violence and a key figure in the global spread of Jainism.
About
- Museum Inauguration: The newly built facility at the Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra aims to preserve India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
- Global Message of Peace: PM Modi highlighted that the museum’s message of Ahimsa (non-violence) is vital in today's era of global instability and unrest.
- Correction of History: The government emphasized its efforts to correct past neglect in safeguarding ancient manuscripts and traditional knowledge systems.
Historical Identity
- Mauryan Emperor: He was the grandson of Emperor Ashoka and the son of Kunala.
- "Jain Ashoka": Known by this title due to his patronage of Jainism, mirroring Ashoka's devotion to Buddhism.
- Reign: He ruled approximately between 224–215 BCE, with Ujjain as his capital.
Religious Contributions
- Propagation: He is credited with spreading Jainism beyond India into regions like Afghanistan, Persia, and Central Asia.
- Infrastructure: Jain tradition credits him with building 125,000 new temples and installing 1.25 crore icons (idols) of Jain Tirthankaras.
- Monastic Support: He facilitated the travel of Jain monks to "barbarian lands" to spread the teachings of Mahavir.
Samrat Samprati Museum Features
- Seven Thematic Galleries: Houses over 2,000 rare artefacts, including ancient stone and metal idols, coins, and miniature paintings.
- Rare Manuscripts: Contains a massive collection of centuries-old manuscripts written on palm leaves and paper.
- Modern Technology: Combines traditional displays with state-of-the-art audio-visual installations for an immersive experience.
- Conservation Lab: Features a modern laboratory for the scientific preservation of delicate scrolls and antiquities.
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