The dutch republic
The dutch empire rose to prominence in the 17th century. It controlled numerous outposts and enclaves across the coastlines all the way to India through South Africa using the Portuguese model. They had particular influence in the cape town of south Africa.
Buddhism is a very peaceful religioun, I doubt it would be spread by violence
A rising population equates to a larger labor force. In other words, the more people there are, the more people can be working in factories making products and in fields producing resources.
