Abstract

The rise and decline of Buddhism in India were not solely shaped by philosophical and religious factors but also reflected the socio-political transformations of the subcontinent. The study analyzes the role of politics in the rise and decline of Buddhism across three major historical phases: (1) the Mahajanapada period (6th–4th centuries BCE), where Buddhism emerged as a counterforce to Brahmanical authority and gained the royal patronage from emerging states such as Magadha and Kosala; (2) during the imperial period (3rd Century BCE - 6th Century CE), Buddhism thrived, supported by the Maurya and Kushan empires. Its zenith was marked by Ashoka's "Dharmavijaya" policy and the growth of Mahayana Buddhism under Kanishka. However, the religion's decline began with the revival of Brahmanism under the Gupta dynasty; and (3) the Islamic period (7th–13th centuries CE), which witnessed Buddhism's decline due to the influence of Islamic rulers like the Ghaznavids and the Delhi Sultanate and its absorption into Hinduism. Utilizing a historical approach and multi-source textual analysis, the article argues that politics was a pivotal factor in shaping the destiny of Buddhism in India, from its formation and development to its eventual decline amid religious competition and power shifts.