Ancient history

How did Hinddism start?

The roots of Hinduism can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished in the Indian subcontinent between 2500 BCE and 1900 BCE. This civilization was known for its advanced urban planning and water management systems, as well as its religious practices, which included the worship of a mother goddess and a bull.

Around 1500 BCE, a group of nomadic people called the Aryans migrated to India from Central Asia. The Aryans brought with them their own religious beliefs and practices, which merged with those of the indigenous people of India to form what is now known as Hinduism.

The Aryans were a patriarchal society, and their religious beliefs reflected this. The male gods were seen as the most powerful, and the female gods were often seen as their consorts or servants. The Aryans also believed in the concept of reincarnation, which held that the soul would be reborn into another body after death.

The earliest Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, were written in Sanskrit and date back to around 1500 BCE. The Vedas are a collection of hymns, prayers, and rituals that were used by the Aryans to worship their gods.

Over the centuries, Hinduism has evolved and changed, and it has incorporated a wide variety of beliefs and practices. Today, there are over 1 billion Hindus in the world, and it is the third largest religion in the world after Christianity and Islam.