Sashanka

(7th c.) King of Bengal who was an
ardent devotee (bhakta) of the god
Shiva and a fierce opponent of
Buddhism, which was deeply entrenched
in his domain. According to reliable
historical reports, Sashanka not only
persecuted the Buddhists themselves
but also tried to destroy the tree in
Bodh Gaya under which the Buddha
gained enlightenment. This is one of
the few well-documented cases of religious persecution.