Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Samprati" in English language version.
Samprati, a grandson of Asoka, is said to have been converted by Suhastin, and to have sent many missionaries to preach Jainism in the Peninsula, where his creed undoubtedly secured such wide acceptance that Mr. Rice is justified in affirming that during the first millennium of the Christian era Jainism may be regarded as having been predominant religion of Mysore.
Samprati had missionaries sent out, doubtless of the Svetambara persuasion, as far as to south India: "In order to extend the sphere of their activities to uncivilized countries, Samprati sent there messengers disguised as Jaina monks. They described to the people the kind of food and other requisites which monks may accept as alms, enjoining them to give such things instead of the usual tax to the revenue collector who would visit them from time to time. Of course these revenue collectors were to be Jaina monks. Having thus prepared the way for them, he induced the superior to send monks to those countries, for they would find it in no way impossible to live there. Accordingly missionaries were sent to the Andhras and Dramilas, who found everything as the king had told. Thus the uncivilized nations were brought under the influence of Jainism.
The new doctrine, however, gained royal support from Anoka's grandson Samprati, under whom, as we saw, the first Svetambara mission was sent to the South. Thus, from very early times, both these schools of Jaina thought found representation in the South; but by far the most overwhelming epigraphic and archaeological evidence in the South is of the Digambara sect .
Literary tradition of Western India, which also recognises Samprati as the immediate successor of Asoka, eulogizes him as an eminent patron of Jainism, who founded Jain monasteries even in non-aryan countries. Almost all ancient Jain temples or monuments of unknown origin are ascribed by the popular voice to Samprati, who is in fact, regarded as a Jain Asoka.
