WI: No Hindu revival

[whiteshore]

What if Hinduism's revival in the 6th century onward was stillborn due to more kings patronizing Buddhism or Jainism, important philosophers either being stillborn or adopting another religion, etc. What would an India where the Hindu revival was stillborn be? Would India be Muslim, Buddhist, or Jain? Any effects on Southeast Asia?

[MinnesotaNationalist]

I'd imagine India would remain Buddhist, but I don't really know to go from there.

One interesting thing could be that a Turkic/Mongol horde from Central Asia who converted to Buddhism could come and conquer India, rather than a Muslim one, or competing Muslim and Buddhist empires. Maybe Buddhism could be a competing religion in Iran along the Silk Road

Burma would be much more connected India, and assuming almost everything else stays the same, could likely be part of India after Independence.

[whiteshore]

Is it possible that Jainism or Nestorianism could be the majority religion in a few areas in the South then?

[punkrockbowler805]

The revival came from the Bhakti movement that emphasized individual religious practice disregarding caste as a response to competition from other religions. It was done by poets and other mystics. Butterfly that movement in medieval Hinduism and the doors open for the others.

[guyverman1990]

Would Islam potentially end up prevailing as the dominant faith in India?

[MinnesotaNationalist]

Similar to Guyverman's question: Would Sihkism arise? Sihkism was a direct result of mixing of Islam and Hindu/Indian culture, but if Hinduism isn't around, would Sihkism still be around?

[whiteshore]

Mar 18, 2016 4:50:46 GMT guyverman1990 said:

Would Islam potentially end up prevailing as the dominant faith in India?

Buddhism would probably be the dominant faith of India IMHO but you have a point as modern-day Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kashmir, and Afghanistan were Buddhist prior to the introduction of Islam.