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How Belief Travelled

When these happened

18 dated records from 265 BCE to 2021. Each is drawn as wide as its date is certain — a band is a band because nobody knows the year, not because the drawing is imprecise.

0500100015002000Ashoka's bilingual Greek-Aramaic inscription at Kandahar — c. 260 BCECouncil at Pataliputra and the despatch of Buddhist missions (traditional account) — c. 250 BCEBuddhism attested in Han China — 1st - 2nd century CEAnthropomorphic Buddha images appear in Gandhara and Mathura — c. 1st century CEArmenia's traditional adoption of Christianity as state religion — 301 CEThe 'Edict of Milan' — toleration and restitution in the Roman Empire — 313 CEAksum adopts Christianity under King Ezana — c. 330 - 356 CETraditional founding of the first cave at Mogao — 366 CEThe Hijra — the Muslim community's migration from Mecca to Medina — 622 CEXuanzang's overland journey to India and return — 629 - 645 CEAlopen received at the Tang court — 635 CEFall of the Sasanian Empire to the Rashidun Caliphate — 651 CEZoroastrian migrants reach Gujarat — the Parsi settlement — 716 or 936 CE (disputed)Construction of Borobudur under Shailendra patronage — c. 780 - 850 CEThe Xi'an stele is erected — 781-02-04Construction phases of the Great Mosque at Kilwa Kisiwani — 10th - 13th century CEThe ruling house of Malacca adopts Islam — 15th century CEMeasured global religious composition, 2010-2020 — 2020
18 shown · 18 dated · 0 cannot be placed on an axis · Approximate or contested. Draw a band and do not sharpen its edges.
In order18
  1. c. 260 BCEAshoka's bilingual Greek-Aramaic inscription at Kandahar

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  2. c. 250 BCECouncil at Pataliputra and the despatch of Buddhist missions (traditional account)

    Sources disagree, or the dating is contested. Stated, not resolved.

  3. 1st - 2nd century CEBuddhism attested in Han China

    Sources disagree, or the dating is contested. Stated, not resolved.

  4. c. 1st century CEAnthropomorphic Buddha images appear in Gandhara and Mathura

    Sources disagree, or the dating is contested. Stated, not resolved.

  5. 301 CEArmenia's traditional adoption of Christianity as state religion

    Sources disagree, or the dating is contested. Stated, not resolved.

  6. 313 CEThe 'Edict of Milan' — toleration and restitution in the Roman Empire

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  7. c. 330 - 356 CEAksum adopts Christianity under King Ezana

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  8. 366 CETraditional founding of the first cave at Mogao

    Sources disagree, or the dating is contested. Stated, not resolved.

  9. 622 CEThe Hijra — the Muslim community's migration from Mecca to Medina

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  10. 629 - 645 CEXuanzang's overland journey to India and return

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  11. 635 CEAlopen received at the Tang court

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  12. 651 CEFall of the Sasanian Empire to the Rashidun Caliphate

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  13. 716 or 936 CE (disputed)Zoroastrian migrants reach Gujarat — the Parsi settlementsources disagree about the date

    Sources disagree, or the dating is contested. Stated, not resolved.

  14. c. 780 - 850 CEConstruction of Borobudur under Shailendra patronage

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  15. 781-02-04The Xi'an stele is erected

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  16. 10th - 13th century CEConstruction phases of the Great Mosque at Kilwa Kisiwani

    It happened, and the record is settled.

  17. 15th century CEThe ruling house of Malacca adopts Islam

    Sources disagree, or the dating is contested. Stated, not resolved.

  18. 2020Measured global religious composition, 2010-2020

    It was measured or witnessed, with the observation cited.