Hinduism

By AshS
  • 2600 BCE

    Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE)

    Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE)
    This was during the era of India's earliest known civilizations. They were highly advanced and believed to have practiced a form of Hinduism. There is proof, such as archaeological findings of seals with images of deities and ritual practices.
  • 1976 BCE

    Origin of Hindiusm

    Origin of Hindiusm
    Many scholars have proof that Hinduism dates back to at least 4000 years ago. But many believe it's been longer than that since their faith is timeless and has always existed. Hinduism is a religion with no exact founder, so it's hard to trace back its origins.
  • 1500 BCE

    Vedic Period (1500 B.C. to 500 B.C.)

    Vedic Period (1500 B.C. to 500 B.C.)
    Around 1500 B.C. was when Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley. This led to the fusion of their language and culture with Indigenous people. This was also the time that the Vedas were created. Also known as the “Vedic Period." Rituals, such as sacrifices and chanting, were common in the Vedic Period. Certain aspects of Hinduism were also introduced during this time, such as when Hindus began to emphasize the worship of deities.
  • 970 BCE

    Hindu Caste System

    Hindu Caste System
    This was a social institution created by Hinduism based on their karma and dharma. The idea of castes is to express related Hindu concepts of varna (colour or race) and jati (birth). This is said to have dated back a minimum of 3000 years ago. The caste system determined most aspects of a person’s status in India. 4 Castes: 
    Brahmin: the intellectual and spiritual leaders
    Kshatriyas: the protectors and public servants of society
    Vaisyas: the skillful producers
    Shudras: the unskilled labourers
  • 322 BCE

    The Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE)

    The Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE)
    This was established by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. This empire remains a prominent part of India's history due to it being one of the most powerful empires in old India. Emperor Ashoka, a Mauryan ruler, converted to Buddhism. This led to Buddhism spreading all over the country. This rivalled Hinduism, which was the dominant religion at the time.
  • 320

    Gupta Empire (320–550 CE)

    Gupta Empire (320–550 CE)
    It was named the "Golden Age" of Hinduism because it was a period filled with great intellectual as well as cultural achievements. This was the period when classical Hindu philosophy, art, and literature flourished. During this period, works such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas were created.
  • 500

    Medieval Period of Hinduism (A.D. 500 to 1500)

    Medieval Period of Hinduism (A.D. 500 to 1500)
    The Medieval Period of Hinduism was when new texts began to emerge and poet-saints recorded their spiritual sentiments during this time.
  • 800

    Islamic Invasions (8th-12th centuries CE)

    Islamic Invasions (8th-12th centuries CE)
    During this time, Muslim Arabs began invading areas in India. This lasted from 1200 to 1757, and Islamic rulers prevented Hindus from worshipping their deities, and some temples were destroyed. Leaving a decline in Hindu kingdoms and also impacted the social, cultural, and religious practices of Hinduism.

  • India Under British Rule (1757 and 1947)

    India Under British Rule (1757 and 1947)
    During the years of 1757 and 1947, India was colonized by Great Britain. Originally, the practice of religion was allowed without interference. But later, the British exploited Indian culture in order to gain political control. An example would be the British worsening the Hindu caste system. There was also the spread of Christianity because of colonial rule. This was when Gandhi had fought for India's independence. Gandhi was a devoted Hindu who followed Hinduism's belief in non-violence.

  • Feminism in India (19th Centrury)

    Feminism in India (19th Centrury)
    When feminism spread in India, people began questioning the assigned gender roles that were deeply rooted in their culture because of Hinduism. Since in Hinduism a woman's role is supporting family life, including playing an important role in the religious activities of the family. This has changed due to globalization and western culture's influence.

  • The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Dispute (1992)

    The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Dispute (1992)
    An issue arose with a religious site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, which was believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. But since a mosque had been built there for a while, there was dispute over the ownership of the site. This had led to an important change in the socio-political institutions of India, including the relationship between Hindus and Muslims.