Birendra Nath Prasad is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, where he teaches the maritime history and economic history of ancient and early medieval India; the social history of religion in ancient and early medieval India; and the history of Southeast Asia to circa 1500 ce. His recent publications include Archaeology of Religion in South Asia: Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jaina Religious Centres in Bihar and Bengal, c. ad 600-1200; Rethinking Bihar and Bengal: History, Culture and Religion; and Religion in Society: Social Dimensions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism in India. He has also edited Maritime Southeast Asia: History, Culture and Religion, c. First Century ce–Fifteenth Century ce; and History, Economy and Religion: Mainland Southeast Asia, c. First Century ce–Fourteenth Century ce.