| had Buddhism flourished during many centuries | | | | were devout Buddhists and it was through their |
| following Asoka’s time through the periods of | | | | efforts that Buddhism continued to flourish in other |
| the Bactrian Greek dynasty (3rd century B.C. to 1st | | | | parts of India, especially in the west and in the north |
| century C.E.), the Kushan emperors (1st-3rd century | | | | and northeast. |
| C.E.), and the Gupta’s golden age (4th-6th | | | | In the west, a general of the Guptas established at |
| century C.E.). According to Sir R.G. Bhandarkar, | | | | Valabhi the Maitraka dynasty around 490 C.E. |
| “The period that we are speaking of has left | | | | Monasteries were also built there, which within a |
| no trace of a building or sculpture devoted to the | | | | century grew into a large centre of learning called |
| use of the Brahmin religion. Of course, Brahminism | | | | Valabhi or Dudฺdฺa after the name of |
| existed and it was probably during this period being | | | | the princess who founded it. The university of |
| developed into the form which it assumed in later | | | | Valabhi remained for over two centuries the |
| times. But the religion certainly does not occupy the | | | | foremost educational centre of western India, |
| prominent position, and Buddhism was followed by | | | | specializing in higher studies in logic, astronomy and |
| the large mass of the people from princes down to | | | | law. It was the centre of Hinayana Buddhism as |
| the humble workman.” The period following | | | | Nalanda of the east was then the centre of |
| this, however, saw the decline of Buddhism which | | | | Mahayana Buddhism. |
| began with the invasions of the White Huns and | | | | The university of Valabhi was destroyed in B.E. 1318 |
| political unrest. | | | | (775 C.E.) when the Muslims, with the advice of a |
| The White Huns or Hunas were a nomadic people of | | | | Hindu merchant who desired a rich reward, attacked |
| Central Asia. They brought their armies into India | | | | the city by sea. No traces of the great. university |
| through her northwestern borders. At first, the | | | | now exist, except some copperplate inscriptions. |
| Gupta empire was successfully defended against | | | | In northern India, some short-lived dynasties grew |
| them. But, through many attacks during the period | | | | into power and succeeded one another until they |
| from 500 to 528 C.E., the empire became gradually | | | | were replaced by Harsha Bardhana in the following |
| weakened and finally broke up. Mihirakula, the Huna | | | | century. Harsha, also called Harsha Siladitya, founded |
| king, was a Saivite. He destroyed almost all | | | | his own empire in northern India and reigned from |
| monasteries and Buddhist places of worship in | | | | 1149 to 1191 (606-648 C.E.) as the last Buddhist |
| Gandhara and Kashmir, and persecuted the Buddhists | | | | emperor of India. Under his rule India was again at its |
| mercilessly. The great university of Taxila, which had | | | | height of culture and civilization. Following the example |
| served for centuries as one of the most famous | | | | of Asoka, he devoted himself to the arts of peace, |
| Buddhist educational centres, was completely | | | | and as it is said, “forgot sleep and food in his |
| destroyed. | | | | devotion to good works.” He encouraged |
| During the breaking up of the Gupta empire, many | | | | learning and literature and Nalanda University was |
| princes founded independent states. Some of them | | | | under his patronage. |