HINDUISM HISTORY Hinduism is the only pagan religion that is recognized as one of the 12 great religions of the world. According to most theology scholars Hinduism was founded about 7,000 years ago in the year 5,000 B.C. It spread across India and then to the rest of Asia. Even though some Asian countries later made Islam or Buddhism their state religion, Hinduism is still the major religion of the people of India. Colorful roadside shrines and the tinkling of temple bells in Asia are constant reminders of Hinduism. Hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it has no founder or date of origin. While most major religions derive from new ideas taught by a charismatic leader, Hinduism is simply the religion of the people of India, which has gradually developed over four thousand years. The origins and authors of its sacred texts are largely unknown. The first Hindu teachers were called Brahmins. They passed down the teachings of Hinduism through oral stories at first. Later, the stories became the Rig-Veda, which was written down in 1,500 B.C. These teachings may have come from a people called the Aryans whose language may have been the predecessor of Sanskrit.

WORLD RELIGIONS COMPARED WORLD RELIGIONS CLIPART WORLD RELIGIONS HOME HINDUISM HOME

The Aryans were nomadic warriors who dominated northern India between 3,000 and 1,500 B.C. Later, they moved down into southern India where they met powerful local tribes. We don't know a lot about the Aryans because they left no cities behind for archaeologists to study. These nomads finally settled near the Ganges River around 400 B.C.

In the centuries before the birth of Christ, a mysterious author/authors wrote two important Hindu scriptures, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Both of these epic poems tell stories involving kings and conflicts. They convey many truths in an entrancing, poetic form.

During these centuries, India was divided into kingdoms that were ruled by rich princes.
A certain order of society in India was firmly established. This became known as the caste system, and it was based on another ancient Hindu text called the Bhagavad-Gita. The legend said that out of the mouth of a god came the scholars and priests. Rulers and warriors came from the god's arms. From the god's thighs came the merchants and farmers. The servants and laborers came from the god's feet. A last group, called the "untouchables," performed some of the most menial labor in society, such as cleaning bathrooms and sweeping the streets.

Although today's Hinduism differs significantly from earlier forms of Indian religion, Hinduism's roots date back as far as 2000 BC, making it one of the oldest surviving religions. Because of its great age, the early history of Hinduism is unclear. The most ancient writings have yet to be deciphered, so for the earliest periods scholars must rely on educated guesses based on archaeology and the study of contemporary texts.

HINDU TIMELINE:

	3,000–1500 BCE: Indus Valley Civilization (Old Chronology)
	6,000–1900 BCE: Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (New Chronology)
	1500–500 BCE: Vedic Period (some say, beginning with the Aryan migration
	500 BCE–500 CE: Epic, Puranic and Classical Ages
	500 CE–1200 CE: Early and Middle Medieval Period Early development of bhakti (esp. in South India). Formation of sampradayas contesting internally and externally Theological establishment of Vedanta.
	1200–1757 CE: Muslim Period Bhakti saints and the cultivation of personal piety Development of the theistic traditions
	1757–1947 CE: British Period The reform movements and birth of neo-Hinduism
	1947 CE–present: Independent India Migration to Britain Hinduism established as a world religion.

It is far easier to conquer others than to conquer oneself,
because the former can be attained by recourse to outside means,
while the latter can be achieved only with one's own mind.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)