CASTE INFLUENCE LESS IN STATE DUE TO BUDDHISM, SAYS RETD OU PROF.

Buddhism is a social revolutionary ideology which countered Vedic Brahmanism and paved the way for the growth of folk-centred popular religion, said Prof. Adapa Satyanarayana, retired history professor from Osmania University.

Speaking at a lecture, ‘Buddhist importance in Telangana history’, he said, “When compared to North India, the influence of caste was very less in the Telangana region due to Buddhism.”

He said the production classes embraced Buddhism. “The spread of Buddhism led to liberal, humanitarian and rational thought. The Buddhist principle of kindness, and resistance to injustice characterised the identity consciousness and personality of Telangana,” he said. The kings who ruled TS were from the production class.