Royal Patronage of Buddhism in Ancient India

The book is organized chronologically around major rulers, dynasties, and political formations that supported or interacted with Buddhism. Chapter One studies the patronage of contemporary kings and clans during and shortly after the Buddha’s lifetime, including Bimbisāra, Ajātaśatru, Pasenadi, Caṇḍa Pajjota, Udena, the Śākyas, Licchavis, Mallas, Bhaggas, Koliyas, Moriyas, and related republican clans. Chapter Two examines Buddhism under the successors of Ajātaśatru and the Nandas. Chapter Three focuses on the Mauryan Empire, especially Candragupta, Bindusāra, Aśoka, Kuṇāla, Jalauka, Mahendra, Daśaratha, Samprati, Śāliśūka, and Bṛhadratha. Chapter Four discusses the Śuṅga–Kāṇva period. Chapter Five treats Buddhism under the Indo-Greeks, Śakas, and Pahlavas. Chapter Six analyzes the Great Kuṣāṇas and the Śaka Satraps of Western India and the Deccan. Chapter Seven covers the Sātavāhanas and their successors. Chapter Eight studies Buddhism during the age of the Guptas and later Guptas, including the rise of the Guptas, Candragupta I, Samudragupta, Candragupta II, Kumāragupta I, Skandagupta, Buddhagupta, and later Gupta rulers.