South Asia

The Indian subcontinent, known today as South Asia, includes the present-day countries of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. A center of civilization for at least five thousand years, this region was the birthplace of the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Hinduism admits to the power of a multiplicity of deities, like a diamond with an infinite number of facets. A single facet of the diamond may beckon an individual more strongly than others. Shiva, Vishnu and Devi are popular deities, and numerous temples were built and covered with sculpted images of deities, mythological scenes, and rich decorative designs. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha, who achieved enlightenment and became known as Buddha (Enlightened One). Images of the Buddha and associated deities were enshrined in temples, and narrative scenes of his life decorated Buddhist monuments. Jainism was promulgated by Mahavira, a contemporary of Buddha. While Jainism remained native to India, both Hinduism and Buddhism spread beyond South Asia to gain popularity throughout Asia and Southeast Asia. The religion of Islam also entered India as early as the eighth century, and was well established by the twelfth century.