Final answer:
Buddhism spread from India to other parts of Asia through trade and missionary work, appealing to those outside the caste system. Simultaneously, Islam expanded significantly via trade routes such as the Silk Roads and the Indian Ocean, fostering the development of powerful states and cultural exchange. Muslim communities along these routes facilitated the spread of Islam, language, and technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spread of Buddhism and Islam Through Trade and Missionary Work
Beyond India, the spread of Buddhism was greatly aided by both missionary work and trade. Initially, there were two primary branches of Buddhism: Theravada, which established its roots in Sri Lanka, southern India, and parts of Southeast Asia, and Mahayana, which spread through the trade routes of Asia and reached as far as China, Korea, and Japan. Buddhism appealed to many outside of India partly because it did not emphasize the caste system, and this inclusivity helped its proliferation in regions where lower-caste individuals sought alternatives to more rigid social structures.
Concurrently, Islam also spread significantly through trade, notably along the Silk Roads and throughout the Indian Ocean. By the mid-eighth century, Islam had moved into northern India and was being facilitated by the location of Baghdad, an essential hub on the Silk Roads. Muslim traders dominated the Indian Ocean, influencing the Malabar Coast of western India and the Swahili coast of eastern Africa, among other regions. The presence of Islam promoted the development of powerful states, including Indonesia, which is now known for having the world's largest Muslim population.
Trade routes facilitated cultural exchange and the spread of new technologies, tying together the Islamic world. Language and scholarly pursuits flourished along these routes, with Arabic and Persian becoming prominent languages of commerce and intellectual life. Additionally, the establishment of Muslim communities along trade routes created hubs for the further dissemination of Islam through the establishment of mosques, schools, and other social institutions by religious scholars.