India, April 4 -- Buddhism, which went through a process of decline in the 13th century, regained the centre stage of Indian outlook, history, panorama and international relations especially in the 20th century through its role in diplomacy, identity politics, refugee issues, social emancipation and political movements, claims a newly launched book.

In his latest book, "Casting the Buddha: A Monumental History of Buddhism in India", veteran author and historian Shashank Shekhar Sinha argues that one needs to go beyond the traditional frames of looking at decline of Buddhism in terms of Brahmanical revival, permeation of tantrism, and iconoclastic Indian Muslim rulers in the 13th century, and look at reasons of dwindling support and patro...