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News India Live, Digital Desk: Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was not only the creator of the Constitution, but also a keen historian and researcher. He had studied in depth the reasons for the decline of Indian religions and society. The question often arises that why did Buddhism, which had such deep roots in India, become almost extinct from here? Baba Saheb has written for this in his book and articles. ‘Islamic attacks’ Has been cited as a major reason. His arguments have given a new direction to this historical debate.
Destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila: Attack on centers of education
According to Dr. Ambedkar, the decline of Buddhism in India began with not only ideological but also physical destruction. In the late 12th century, raiders like Bakhtiyar Khilji targeted great Buddhist universities like Nalanda, Vikramashila and Odantapuri. Baba Saheb has described in detail how these invaders killed thousands of Buddhist monks and burnt libraries containing priceless manuscripts to ashes. He believed that Buddhism was based on the ‘monk Sangha’, and when the centers of the Sangha were destroyed, the religion suffered great damage.
Buddhism crushed between Brahmanism and Islam?
Baba Saheb has raised another important point. His argument was that Buddhism faced a two-pronged challenge. On the one hand, he was having an ideological conflict with Brahminism, while on the other hand, external Islamic attacks broke his organizational strength. Dr. Ambedkar writes that the iconoclastic policy of Islam caused the most damage to Buddhist stupas and statues, because Buddhism was completely dependent on its peaceful teachings and viharas.
Why couldn’t Buddhist monks compete?
Dr. Ambedkar’s analysis says that unlike Hinduism, in which the ‘Kshatriya’ class existed for protection because of the varna system, Buddhist society was based entirely on non-violence and the monk tradition. When Islamic armies attacked, the unarmed monks had no means of self-defense. A large number of monks were killed and those who survived fled to Tibet, Nepal and China. Due to lack of leadership and guidance the common people gradually merged with other religions.
Baba Saheb’s Conclusion: End of a Great Legacy
Ambedkar ji believed that the decline of Buddhism was one of the most tragic events in the history of India. He clearly mentioned that the Islamic sword struck at the roots of Buddhism, which was already weakened by internal conflicts. For him, the revival of Buddhism was not just a religious change but a way to regain India’s lost identity and egalitarian society, which is why he took Dhamma initiation in 1956 along with millions of followers.