PM Modi inaugurates Samrat Samprati Museum, dedicated to Jain heritage, in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the newly built ‘Samrat Samprati Museum’, dedicated to Jain heritage and values of non-violence, at Koba village in Gandhinagar.

The PM, along with Jain seers, inaugurated the museum on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

The museum, located at the Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, is named after Samrat Samprati Maharaj (224-215 BC), the grandson of Samrat Ashoka and a Mauryan ruler known for propagating Jainism and the principle of ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence).

It houses rare artefacts, ancient manuscripts and sculptures spread across seven galleries, offering a glimpse into the rich historical, cultural and spiritual legacy of Jainism, a government release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the newly built Samrat Samprati Museum in Gujarat sends a strong message of peace and non-violence at a time when the world is "engulfed in the flames of instability and unrest".

Referring to the current global situation, Modi said the legacy and message of the museum are significant not just for India but for humanity.

"We are correcting the mistakes of previous governments, which failed to preserve valuable manuscripts," he said after inaugurating the museum located on Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra campus at Koba village near Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

"Given the current global scenario - the way the world is being scorched in the fires of instability and unrest - the legacy and message of this museum hold immense significance," he said.

The museum reflects India's core strength of diversity and unity, bringing together traditions such as the Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, Yoga and other philosophical streams, he noted.

"This is something that could happen only in India," he added.

The museum is named after Samrat Samprati Maharaj (224-215 BC), the grandson of Samrat Ashoka and a Mauryan ruler known for propagating Jainism and the principle of non-violence.

Highlighting the concept behind the museum, the prime minister said Samrat Samprati represents the link between philosophy and governance.

"Samrat Samprati is not merely the name of a historical king. He serves as a bridge that connects India's philosophy with its practice," he said.

The museum preserves this legacy and has been designed to showcase India's identity at every step, Modi noted. He pointed to its seven galleries, saying they "proclaim India's diversity and cultural richness".

Referring to preservation of heritage, Modi said India had lost a vast treasure of knowledge in the past when ancient centres of learning like Takshashila and Nalanda were destroyed by foreign invaders.

Valuable manuscripts were burnt by invaders, leading to an immense heritage of humanity being lost, he pointed out.

In later years, people protected whatever remained by passing manuscripts from one generation to another, the PM said.

However, after Independence, the responsibility of preserving such knowledge was not taken up seriously by earlier governments, he said.

"After Independence, this should have been a national priority. Regrettably, due to a colonial mindset, no attention was paid to this vital cause," he said, in an apparent reference to Congress-led governments before 2014.

Modi credited saints and scholars for preserving India's heritage, mentioning the efforts of Jain seers who travelled across the country to collect manuscripts over decades. He said lakhs of manuscripts written on palm leaves and bark have now been preserved.

"We are today rectifying the mistakes committed by previous governments, which had neglected these manuscripts," he said.

The PM also said his government has launched the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' to preserve and digitise ancient manuscripts using modern technology.

"Under this mission, manuscripts are being digitised, scientifically preserved and archived. People are also uploading manuscripts kept in their personal custody," he informed.

The initiative would help collect scattered manuscripts from across the country and make them accessible for future generations, he said.

Modi said the government is making large-scale efforts to promote India's cultural heritage globally, including restoration of temples, development of pilgrimage sites and promotion of traditional knowledge systems like Ayurveda and Yoga.

He also cited projects such as the upcoming maritime museum at Lothal and plans for a national museum in Delhi to present India's history comprehensively.

Taking a swipe at previous regimes, Modi said earlier efforts to present history were influenced by political considerations.

"You may recall that in the past, such endeavours were often viewed through a political lens. Everything revolved around setting a specific narrative for a particular political family," he said, in an apparent reference to the Gandhi-Nehru family.

"We have put an end to this mindset," the PM said, adding the government is working with the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

Modi also called for encouraging students and researchers from across the world to visit the museum and carry India's message of non-violence and knowledge globally.

"When we rise above personal aspirations and work for the nation, the pace of progress increases," he stressed.

The museum showcases centuries-old Jain art, including stone and metal idols, illustrated manuscripts, coins and traditional artefacts, while also using modern audio-visual technology to create an immersive experience for visitors.

Housing over 2,000 rare treasures arranged in expansive halls, the museum enables visitors to gain a chronological understanding of the evolution of Jainism and its profound cultural impact, the release said.

It features seven distinct wings, each dedicated to unique aspects of India's civilisational traditions, and offers visitors a comprehensive journey through centuries of knowledge and heritage.

The museum preserves and displays centuries-old rare relics, Jain artefacts, and traditional heritage collections, which include intricately crafted stone and metal idols, miniature paintings, silver chariots, coins, and ancient manuscripts, all exhibited across seven grand galleries, the release said.

Earlier, PM Modi, in a post on X, greeted people on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti on Tuesday and said the life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir continue to illuminate the path of truth, non-violence and compassion. He said Bhagwan Mahavir's ideals are spiritually uplifting and also deeply relevant in today's world and his emphasis on equality and kindness reminds people of everyone's shared responsibility towards society.