Mahayana Buddhism flourished under the Palas between the 8th and the 12th century.
However, after the defeat of the Palas by the Hindu Sena dynasty,
Buddhism’s position again began to erode and became nearly extinct in India.
During the 12th century CE,
Bodh Gaya and the nearby regions were invaded by MuslimTurk armies.
During this period, the Mahabodhi Temple fell into disrepair and was largely abandoned. Over the following centuries, the monastery’s abbot or mahant became the area’s primary landholder and claimed ownership of the Mahabodhi Temple grounds.