The Upper Ganges Valley
(India) at the time of the Buddha showing the major sites.
Sixth century BC India
was in a state of profound social and philosophical revolution.
In the land watered by the Ganges, new monarchical states,
such as Kosala and Magadha were expanding. While the cities
of 6th century BC swarmed with shifting new populations, the
roads were busy with the movement of religious wanderers and
teachers. It was into this climate that Sidhartha Gautama,
the Buddha-to-be, was born into the Shakya clan, whose capital
was Kapilavastu, at the Lumbini Grove in the foothills of
the Himalayas.
