The first archaeological evidence for Buddhism appears in the Mauryan age, the most important being monumental pillars set up at important Buddhist sites. A number of these are engraved with the royal edicts of the Mauryan emperor Aśoka and so can be dated to his reign (about 270-234 BC).

The Mauryans also patronised Jainism, a religion based on tirthankaras– individuals who have conquered and controlled their desires and attained a state of enlightenment. Caves for Jain monks were made in the Barābar hills, not far from Pataliputra, the Mauryan capital. Other caves at the same site included residences for Ajīvikas, a sect of mendicants founded by Gosala (died about 484 BC) who believed that man’s destiny is uninfluenced by human action, but was predetermined by an impersonal cosmic force called niyati.

Evidence has also been found of what appears to be a religious cult, but there are no surviving inscriptions to identify it. Carved ring-stones have been found in the early urban centres of South Asia, many of which show goddesses flanked by plant and animal motifs. The goddesses stand symmetrically and are shown nude apart from large ear-ornaments and bangles. Their wide hips and large breasts suggest these are fertility goddesses. Similar terracotta figures have also been found.