Islam quickly spread throughout the Arab Peninsula into the Middle East and across North Africa. Likewise, Islam spread peace, unity, equality, and increased literacy rates. Islam directly influenced society and altered the course of development in history and in today 's contemporary world.
Promotion of social equality and social justice helped Buddhism to cross the frontiers of Indian sub-continent and became a world religion. In the field of education Buddhism tried to make education practical, action oriented and geared towards social welfare.
During the Maurya and Gupta empires, the Indian culture and way of life were deeply influenced by Hinduism. Hinduism reinforced a strict social hierarchy called a caste system that made it nearly impossible for people to move outside of their social station.
