|
|
| |
| Home » History of Religions in India » Hinduism |
| |
History of Hinduism in India |
|
|
Hinduism is one of the oldest religion in the world. Hinduism is largely practiced in India. It is believed that there is no single founder of this religion. With the passage of time the religion became largely practiced in India. History of Hinduism in India is very complex. There are prehistoric roots to Hinduism. There is no exact date of the origin of Hinduism. The present system of Hinduism is different from the old Hinduism. The religion dates back to 2000 BC.
|
This makes the religion as one of the oldest surviving religion. According to historians the classical Hinduism emerged when Buddhism in India was declining. Many research has led to the discovery of ancient writings which describes the traces of the history of Hinduism in India. There are many ancient writing which are still in its original form and are not deciphered. The classical Hindu philosophy is said to have six branches which are Nyaya, Mimamsa, Samkhya, Yoga, Vedanta and Vaisheshika. Out of all these branches only Vedanta existing.
The history of Hinduism in India is incomplete if we do not describe the Vaishnavism and Shaivism which developed between 2nd century BC to 6th century AD. The religious tradition followed by Indus valley civilization is still followed. This civilization played an important part in the history of Hinduism in India. Hinduism is believed to be a complex set of idea brought by the Aryans. The early phase of Hinduism is said to be Brahmanism. It was the religion of priests. The Brahmans or priest performed various Vedic sacrifice through one can connect with God. Many aspects of the Brahmanism have been mentioned in 'upanishads'. The sacrifice and various religious aspects are very clearly mentioned in upanishads like the practice of Yoga. The doctrine of Karma became popular post vedic Hinduism. Karma stated that good and bad results depends on individual's action. Then came the doctrine of Moksha an Mukti. The excavation sites have got many evidence related to the history of Hinduism in India.
The excavation of Indus valley civilization has helped know many interesting things. Some of the graveyards of the Indus valley civilization have shown that personal possessions are also buried with the body. Which indicates that they also believe in life after death. Many things were excavated from the site like the figure of male deity which shows that he is surrounded by numerous cattle. This figure was then called Pashupati the guardian of animal. The modern shavism has many stories related to Pashupati. To know better of the history of Hinduism in India one must know the Vedas of the early literature of Hinduism. The four Vedas of Hindu literature are Sama-Veda, Rig-Veda, Atharva-Veda and Yajur-Veda. All the old traditions of Hinduism are still practiced in India. Hinduism faced many challlenges under th Muslim ruler. But Bhakti movement gave a boos to Hinduism.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
