Consider the following statements: 1. The Ikshvaku rulers of southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism. 2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Ikshvaku rulers, who succeeded the Satavahanas in the Krishna-Guntur region (southern India) around the 3rd century CE, were known patrons of both Brahmanism and Buddhism. Archaeological evidence, especially at Nagarjunakonda, shows significant royal patronage for Buddhist monasteries and stupas, particularly by the queens and women of the royal family. They were not antagonistic towards Buddhism. 2. Statement 2 is correct. The Pala rulers, who dominated Eastern India (Bengal and Bihar) from the 8th to the 12th century CE, were indeed great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism. They founded and supported major Buddhist monastic universities like Nalanda, Vikramashila, and Somapura Mahavihara. 3. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.