Some of you may be interested in my new book titled Religion in Society: Social Dimensions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism in India, published by Manohar Publishers and Distributors, Delhi, 2023. ISBN number: 978-9394262768.

Amazon link: Religion in Society: Social Dimensions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism in India

About the book:

Through an analysis of archaeological and literary data, this book explores two interrelated themes: the socio-economic and cultic processes that resulted in the decline of Indian Buddhism in its last strongholds – Bihar and Bengal – towards the end of the early medieval period, and the patterns of revival of Buddhism in the neighbouring province of Uttar Pradesh, c. 2005-2011 CE. These themes have been explored by undertaking an analysis of the developments in the social histories of other competing religions: Hinduism, Jainism and Ājīvika-dharma. By placing emphasis on the religious praxis and behaviour of the non-elite segment of population, this book offers some significant ‘from below’ perspectives on the social histories of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Ājīvika-dharma in eastern and northern India.

Contents:

Preface

1.      Introduction

2.      Cultic Relationships between Buddhism and Brahman­ism in the ‘Last Stronghold’ of Indian Buddhism: An Analysis with Particular Reference to Votive Inscriptions on the Brahmanical Sculptures Donated to Buddhist Religious Centres in Early Medieval Magadha

3.      Merchants and Their Family Members as Donors of Inscribed Buddhist and Brahmanical Sculptures in Early Medieval Bihar and Bengal

4.      Women as Donors of Inscribed Buddhist Sculptures in Early Medieval Bihar and Bengal

5.      Monarchs, Monasteries and Trade on an ‘Agrarian Frontier’: Early Medieval Samataṭa– Harikela, Bangladesh

6.      Jaina and Brahmanical Temples and Political Processes in a Forested Frontier of Early Medieval South-Western Bengal: A Study of Purulia

7.      Buddhist Revival in Contemporary Uttar Pradesh, c. 2005-2011 CE: Some Aspects of Ambedkarite and Ājīvika Discourses on Buddhism and Hinduism in Hindi Print Media

Bibliography

Index

 With regards

Dr. Birendra Nath Prasad

Centre for Historical Studies

Jawaharlal Nehru University

New Delhi

https://www.jnu.ac.in/content/bnprasad