(7th c.) King of Bengal
who was an ardent devotee (bhakta) of the god Shiva and a fierce opponent of
Buddhism, which was deeply entrenched in his domain.
According to reliable historical reports, Sashanka not only
persecuted the Buddhists themselves but also tried to destroy the tree in Bodh
Gaya under which the Buddha gained enlightenment.
This is one of the few well-documented cases of religious
persecution.
