Religious Violence in India - Ancient India

Ancient India

Ancient India has no history of large scale religious violence. However, King Pusyamitra of Sunga Empire is linked in legend with the persecution of Buddhists. There is some doubt as to whether he did or did not persecute Buddhists actively.

The Divyavadana ascribes to him the razing of stupas and viharas built by Ashoka. This account has however been described as "exaggerated". Archaeological evidence is scarce and uncertain. However to many scholars, Sunga kings were seen as more amenable to Buddhism and as having contributed to the building of the stupa at Bharhut.

With the possible exception of reign of King Pusyamitra, Buddhism and Hinduism seem to have co-existed peacefully with almost all Buddhist temples, including the ones at Ajanta Caves, being built under the rule and patronage of Hindu kings.

There are also a few references to religious tension between Jains and Hindus in the medieval Tamil kingdoms, culminating in a large scale massacre of Jains by the king Koon Pandiyan.

Read more about this topic:  Religious Violence In India

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