IOTL, the area roughly analogous to the "stans" was highly religiously fractious prior to the rise of Islam. The region had populations which were Buddhist (especially in Afghanistan), Zoroastrian, Manichaeist, and Nestorian Christian, with a smattering of Hindus and shamanistic religions like Tengriism as well.
I've often wondered, in a world where either Islam never rose, or where Persia successfully resisted, what would have happened here. The lazy thing to do is simply project the past onto the future, and imagine segments would stay Buddhist, Christian, etc. But if one religion came to the forefront, what do you guys think it would be?
I've often wondered, in a world where either Islam never rose, or where Persia successfully resisted, what would have happened here. The lazy thing to do is simply project the past onto the future, and imagine segments would stay Buddhist, Christian, etc. But if one religion came to the forefront, what do you guys think it would be?