Final answer:
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama in the 5th century B.C.E. and was not based on the religious teachings of the Dravidians. Initially appealing to lower castes, it evolved to attract elite patronage and spread throughout Asia, differentiating itself with unique teachings like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining what is true about Buddhism, we can certainly say it did not begin around the 1500s B.C. Siddhartha Gautama, the Indian prince also known as Buddha, founded Buddhism in approximately the 5th century B.C.E. While initially Buddhism may have appealed more to lower castes than Hinduism due to its less rigid structure, it eventually gained patronage from elites as well. It is not based on the religious teachings of the Dravidians, rather, its roots are in the Indian subcontinent and it grew out of the same Vedic cultural context as Hinduism.
After Siddhartha's enlightenment under the sacred fig tree, his teachings spread rapidly, aided by later followers and rulers such as King Ashoka, who played a significant role in the dissemination of Buddhism. The religion eventually became Asia's most influential source of inspiration for monumental architecture and high art and spread throughout East Asia, adapting and integrating local traditions and beliefs as it did.
While Buddhism shared certain elements with Hinduism, such as beliefs in Dharma, karma, and reincarnation, it also presented distinct teachings like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path that offer a systematic approach to achieving enlightenment and overcoming suffering.