Synopsis Buddhism, like other religions of the world , owed much of its expansion to the patronage of several rulers in India extended to the religion for its progress. The book gives for the first time a chronological account of the patronage of Buddhism in ancient India by kings and clans from the period of the Buddha’s ministration to that of the extinction of the Gupta dynasty. Being based on a close study of original sources, the book presents in detail a living picture of the progress of Buddhism under the patronage of rulers who occupied an important place in Indian history for their contribution to Buddhism or to the Buddhist world. An authentic book on the subject, it will no doubt be helpful to those interested in the study of Buddhism and Buddhist culture.