Buddha born in Iran/Afghanistan?

Gautama Siddharta Buddha, considered the founder of Buddhism, is generally accepted to have been born in Nepal ( Lumbini near Kapilavastu) somewhere around 500 BC. 

 

In contrast, the Indian researcher dr. Ranajit Pal argues that Buddha was actually born in the region of Sistan ( Iran/Afghanistan) also known as Sakastan. Some of his papers are published in academic journals.

 

He is not the first researcher proposing this but he presents new arguments and evidence ( archaeological findings, ancient Persian, Greek, Indian and even Arabic sources). He identifies Gautama with a ruler/prince in Persia named Gaumata Maga. According to a Persian inscription, this Gaumata had challenged Darius the Great and had established a new religion. Buddhism would have spread from Iran/Afghanistan to the Indian subcontinent and not vice-versa.

 

I don’t argue for or against it but some of the presented material is challenging. For the interested: