The History of Hinduism
Hinduism has been alive and well in many Hindus’ hearts for over four thousand years! The roots of Hinduism have dated back as far as 200 BC, making it one of the oldest surviving religions. Since Hinduism is a really old religion, it most certainly has to have a lot of history background.
Before 2000 BCE (BCE is Before Common Era), there was the Indus Valley Civilization. This civilization started creating their religion. Thus in Hinduism, there is apparent emphasis on ceremonial bathing, sacrifice, and goddess worship. In the years of 1500- 500 BCE, there was the Vedic Period. Hinduism, in this view about the era, derives from their religion recorded in the Veda along the benefits of the different traditions they encountered. The next major era was the Epic, Puranic, and Classical Age. This era lasted from 500 BCE to 500 CE. This age was around the time of Buddha. Buddha saw texts about Dharma Sutras and Shastra, the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the Puranas.
The idea of dharma (law, duty, and truth) is important to Hinduism and it came from the texts known as (what I mentioned) Dharma Sutras and Shastras. During the Vedic development of fire sacrifice, also came the development of worship (puja) of images and deities in temples and in the rise of the Gupta Empire, which lasted from about 320 to 500 CE, saw the development of puja and focused on Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi, which who were the gods they worshipped during that time. During the Medieval Times, there were developments of gurus, who were the spiritual leaders, and building of temples, and daily and occasional rituals.
During the Pre-Modern Period, there was Muslim political power. Akbar was a liberal emperor and allowed Hindus to practice their religion freely, but his great grandson Aurangzeb, destroyed lots of temples, and said no to Hinduism.
During the British Period, Robert Clive’s victory at the Battle of Plassley caused the end of the Mughul Empire in India, and the rise of British control. Although the British didn’t really interfere with the Hinduism religion, missionaries came which caused Christianity to spread.
Today, India is now independent. India first became independent on the year of 1947, but in the 1920’s, the national movement had already become pretty much violent. That’s when Mahatma Gandhi came in. He wanted gain the country to gain peace, but in peace. So he started the “Quit India Movement” on 1942, so the British decided to leave.
By J.G.
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