Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{200645,
        author = {Dr. Bharat Diyora},
        title = {The Rise and Spread of Buddhism in Gujarat: A Historical Study},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {12},
        pages = {1533-1537},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=200645},
        abstract = {This historical study examines the rise, expansion, and eventual decline of Buddhism in Gujarat from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. Drawing upon archaeological reports, epigraphic evidence, and contemporary travel accounts, the paper traces the earliest Buddhist presence in Gujarat through the Ashokan rock edicts at Girnar (Junagadh). It then analyzes the significant growth of Buddhist monastic centers during the Maitraka dynasty (5th–8th century CE), particularly the renowned university at Vallabhi, which attracted scholars from across Asia. The study also highlights the role of Gujarat’s maritime trade networks, including ports such as Bharuch and Cambay, in facilitating the spread of Buddhist ideas to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Archaeological sites, including Devnimori, Vadnagar, Talaja, and Khambhalida are examined as evidence of a flourishing Buddhist landscape. Finally, the paper explores the complex factors behind Buddhism’s decline in Gujarat, including shifting political patronage, competition from Brahmanical and Jain traditions, and changing trade routes. The study argues that Gujarat constituted a distinctive and historically significant Buddhist region beyond the Gangetic heartland, deserving greater attention in mainstream Buddhist historiography.},
        keywords = {- Buddhism, Gujarat, Monastic centers, Maritime trade, Vallabhi},
        month = {May},
        }