Across antiquity, India was not merely a geographical space but a vibrant cultural crucible, where archaeology, philosophies, epics, and artistic traditions were shaped and disseminated far beyond its frontiers. The expansion of narratives such as the Ramayana and Ram Katha, the teachings of Buddhism, the ethical codes of Jainism, and other intellectual currents exemplify the processes of cultural fusion and diffusion that linked South Asia with the wider world. These movements were not confined to texts and ideas alone; they left enduring imprints in material culture, inscriptions, temple reliefs, sculptures, and monastic remains unearthed across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and beyond – testifying to a shared cultural fabric that transcended boundaries. Trade networks, both maritime and overland, acted as powerful vectors of this cultural transmission. Merchants, monks, and diaspora communities carried with them not only commodities but also beliefs, rituals, and stories that were absorbed, adapted, and reinterpreted by host societies. The Buddhist stupas of Borobudur, the Ramayana reliefs at Angkor Wat, inscriptions from the Silk Routes, and other examples together illustrate how tangible remains chart the pathways of intangible heritage.

These archaeological findings illuminate the depth of intercultural connections, revealing how Indian traditions merged with local forms to create distinctive yet interconnected cultural landscapes. This session proposes to examine the global diffusion of Indian cultural expressions – textual, artistic, and religious – through the lens of archaeology, history, and intercultural exchange. By foregrounding the interplay of Ramayana narratives, Buddhist Dharma, Jain philosophies, and other traditions, it highlights how ideas were continually transformed through dialogue. In doing so, it underscores the universal value of these traditions as symbols of shared humanity and enduring heritage, reminding us that the ancient world was already profoundly globalised through cultural interaction.