Introduction: Mauryan Dynasty and Religious Patronage

Emperor Ashoka (reign c. 268–232 BCE) of the Mauryan Empire is credited with the widespread propagation of Buddhism across South Asia and beyond. His reign extended over approximately 5 million sq km, covering modern India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Afghanistan (Romila Thapar, The Mauryan Empire, 1961). Ashoka’s grandson, Samprati (reign c. 224–215 BCE), ruled parts of western India, notably Gujarat and Rajasthan, and is traditionally recognized for promoting Jainism through extensive temple-building and missionary activities. While Ashoka’s Buddhist patronage is well-documented through numerous edicts, Samprati’s Jain propagation is primarily recorded in Jain texts such as Hemachandra’s Parishishtaparvan (12th century CE).

Ashoka’s Role in the Spread of Buddhism

Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism after the Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE) marked a shift towards state-sponsored religious propagation. His edicts, inscribed in 14 locations across India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan (Indian Express, 2024), promoted Dhamma—a moral and ethical code rooted in Buddhist principles. Ashoka dispatched missionaries to Sri Lanka (as recorded in the Mahavamsa chronicle), Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, facilitating Buddhism’s pan-Asian diffusion.

• Edicts emphasize non-violence, religious tolerance, and welfare policies.
• State sponsorship included funding monasteries and stupas, creating institutional Buddhist Sangha.
• Infrastructure improvements under Mauryan rule enhanced trade routes, indirectly aiding missionary travel (Romila Thapar, 1961).

Samprati’s Contribution to Jainism

Samprati, Ashoka’s grandson, is credited by Jain tradition with constructing over 1500 Jain temples, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan (Hemachandra, Parishishtaparvan). His reign is marked by active patronage of Jain monks and the Sangha, facilitating the religion’s consolidation in western India. Unlike Ashoka, Samprati’s evidence is largely textual and archaeological remains are sparse, creating a historiographical gap.

• Temple construction stimulated local economies via artisan employment, though exact economic data is unavailable.
• Political authority was leveraged to protect Jain communities and promote missionary activities.
• Samprati’s reign followed the Mauryan lineage, maintaining continuity in imperial religious patronage.

Legal and Institutional Framework for Preservation

The preservation of Mauryan-era monuments linked to Ashoka and Samprati falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Act, 1958. Key provisions include:

• Section 3: Protection of ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
• Section 20: Regulation of excavations and safeguarding artefacts.

Institutions involved in religious propagation historically include the Buddhist Sangha under Ashoka and the Jain Sangha during Samprati’s reign. The later establishment of the University of Nalanda (5th century CE) reflects the enduring legacy of early religious patronage, serving as a center for Buddhist and Jain studies.

Economic Impact of Religious Patronage

The Mauryan Empire’s economic integration, with an estimated annual revenue of 4.5 million silver drachmas (Romila Thapar, 1961), created a stable environment for religious dissemination. Ashoka’s infrastructure projects improved connectivity, facilitating missionary movements. Samprati’s temple-building likely generated localized economic activity through employment of craftsmen and artisans, although no precise estimates exist.

• Trade route improvements under Ashoka enhanced cultural and religious exchanges.
• Temple construction under Samprati acted as economic stimuli in regional centers.
• Religious patronage contributed to social cohesion, indirectly supporting economic stability.

Comparative Analysis: Ashoka and Samprati vs Constantine

Historiographical Gap and Its Implications

The paucity of archaeological and epigraphic evidence for Samprati’s Jain patronage contrasts sharply with Ashoka’s well-preserved edicts. This gap leads to underrepresentation of Jainism’s early expansion in mainstream historical narratives. Reliance on later Jain texts, composed centuries after Samprati’s reign, complicates objective reconstruction of events.

• Limited material evidence restricts cross-verification of textual claims.
• Historiography tends to privilege Ashoka’s Buddhist patronage due to abundant inscriptions.
• Calls for increased archaeological focus on Jain sites associated with Samprati.

Significance and Way Forward

• Recognizing Samprati’s role provides a more balanced understanding of religious pluralism in ancient India.
• Encouraging interdisciplinary research combining archaeology, epigraphy, and textual analysis can fill historiographical gaps.
• Preservation of Jain monuments under ASI should be prioritized to enhance empirical evidence.
• Comparative studies with other imperial religious patronage (e.g., Constantine) offer insights into state-religion dynamics.