Pre-Vedic Influences On Hinduism
The exact origins of Hinduism remain a mystery, but historians have established that the religion traces its roots to Indus Valley civilization in the second millennium BCE – some of the earliest archaeological evidence for Hinduism can be found in the ruins of the ancient city of Harappa. After the fall of the Indus Valley civilization, which is thought to have centered around Saraswati River valley, Hinduism gradually began to spread across India and along with it, flourished the religious and cultural practices currently associated with the religion. Over the centuries, Hinduism adopted new beliefs, rituals and teachings, greatly influenced by the beliefs of tribal, nomadic and other non-Indic people.
The Rigveda, a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns, is one of the oldest religious texts in the world and are believed to have been composed between 1500–1200 BCE. It suggests that the early Vedic people followed a polytheistic religion, where gods were linked to the forces of nature such as wind, rain and fire. The Rigveda is said to have been composed by Aryans, nomadic people who migrated from Central Asia over the Hindu Kush mountain range and are believed to have brought with them the ancient Hindu culture.
The Aryan migration to India is also said to have brought with it the Vedic language, the language used in Rigveda hymns. The Vedic gods and goddesses such as Indra, Agni, Varuna and Ushas, deities found in Rigvedic hymns, are considered to be the earliest deities of the Hindu pantheon. This suggests that Vedic religion was the first of the many religions embraced by the people of India, and thus the originator of this ancient form of Hinduism.
Group Expansion of Vedic Religion
As the Aryans migrated further down into the Indian subcontinent, new gods from different tribal and non-Vedic religions were added to the pantheon. The pastoral gods such as the elephant god Ganesha and the monkey god Hanuman are said to have been inspired by the tribal religions of the Dravidian people, who populated the south of India. With the influence of other ancient religions, the Vedic religion was transformed into an even more complex religion as we know it today.
As the Aryan influence reached further down into the Ganges valley, different sects of Vedic religion began to appear. The earliest of these sects were the Upanishads, which is considered to be the foundation of the Vedanta, one of the six orthodox Hindu schools of philosophy. The Upanishads focused on the spiritual aspects of the Vedic religion, and their teachings offer insight into the Brahman idea of an absolute spiritual reality which lies behind the physical world. The Bhagavad Gita which is part of the Mahabharata is also a part of Vedic religion, and is believed to have been written between 500–200 BCE.
The spread of Vedic religion was also greatly influenced by other external forces. Alexander’s invasion of India in 327 BCE brought with it the spread of Hellenistic religion and culture to the subcontinent. This allowed for the intermingling of beliefs and practices between the locals and Hellenistic settlers which further evolved the Vedic religions.
Non-Vedic Influences On Hinduism
The various nomadic and tribal religions that were prevalent in the Indian subcontinent before the arrival of the Aryans also had a great influence on the development of Hinduism. The great Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, both of which are said to have been written between 500 BCE and 400 CE, both also contain elements of non-Vedic religions. These include beliefs in re-incarnation, karma and vegetarianism, which are three concepts not associated with Aryan Vedic religion.
Tribal traditions such as yoga, the worship of snake gods and goddesses, and ancestor worship were also incorporated into Hindu mythology. The worship of new gods, such as Shiva and Vishnu, who embodied the power of nature, such as the power of destruction, fertility and preservation, was also influenced by tribes and non-Vedic belief systems.
Another major influence on the development of Hinduism is the yogic tradition. The practice of yoga is believed to have originated in the Indus Valley civilization around 1500 BCE and is still practiced in India today. Beliefs in karma, reincarnation, yogic principles and philosophical discussions were also adopted into Hinduism and are highly regarded in the religion today.
Jain and Buddhist Influence
Between 600–400 BCE, two new religions, Jainism and Buddhism, began to spread throughout India. Though both religions are distinct from Hinduism, they adopted many of the beliefs and practices of the Hindu religion, and this allowed for additional exchange of ideas and beliefs between the two religions.
The Mahavira, the founder of Jainism and one of the most influential figures in ancient Indian history, was a contemporary of the Buddha and is said to have influenced his teachings and philosophy. The teachings of Mahavira also had an impact on the development of Hinduism and shaped its ideas about karma, non-violence and the importance of meditation and austerity.
Buddhism, likewise, adopted many of the beliefs and practices of Hinduism, such as the idea of renunciation, which is the renunciation of material desires and worldly attachments. This idea was adopted by Buddhists, who believed that by rejecting the material world, one could attain enlightenment and liberation. Additionally, the worship of a single God or Goddess, a concept that was popular in Hinduism, was also taken up by the Buddhist tradition.
Influence of Islamic Dynasties
The establishment of Islamic rule over the Indian subcontinent in the medieval period also had a profound effect on the development of Hinduism. Islamic rulers such as Akbar, Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar and Aurangzeb admired the Hindu faith and did not attempt to suppress it. Though the Islamic rulers did not impose the Islamic religion on Hinduism, they did have a great impact on the practices and beliefs of the Hindu religion.
The Islamic rulers enriched and influenced the Hindu culture as well as adding to its cultural and religious heritage. Islamic traditions such as the use of rosary beads for devotional prayers and the patronage of art, music and architecture had a great influence on Hindu life and culture.
Modernisation of Hinduism
The arrival of Western colonialism in India in the 19th century also had a significant effect on the practices and beliefs of Hinduism. Europeans brought with them new ideas of rationalism, scientific thought and secularism, which were incorporated into Hinduism and allowed it to evolve into the form we know today. Modern Hinduism is regarded as a more progressive and liberal form of Hinduism, influenced by the interaction between East and West.
Indian Independence Movements
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Hinduism was one of the major driving forces behind the Indian independence movements. Political leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru rallied the Hindu population to rise up against British rule. This lead to the emergence of a new brand of Hindu nationalism, which was characterized by an embrace of Hindu culture and traditions as well as a commitment to Indian independence.
As India attained independence in 1947, Hinduism became more closely associated with the state. Hindu symbols, such as the Srimata, are now found in many parts of the country and Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi are celebrated with great enthusiasm across the subcontinent.
Globalization of Hinduism
In recent years, Hinduism has become increasingly globalized and is now practiced by millions of people around the world. This has been made possible largely thanks to the widespread availability of Hindu teachings and literature in English, which has allowed Westerners to gain access and appreciation to the religion. The growth of the Hindu diaspora has also been crucial to spreading Hinduism to new parts of the world.
Additionally, Hindu literature, music, and art have been heavily influenced by globalization. This has allowed for the exchange of ideas and beliefs between people from different parts of the world, and has given Hinduism a more universal appeal.
Influence Of Immigration
The recent influx of immigrants from India to other countries has also been a major driving force behind the global spread of Hinduism. The Hindu community abroad is growing rapidly, and there are now Hindu temples and temples around the world, such as the Hindu temple in Singapore, which serve as houses of worship for Hindus from all over the world.
Furthermore, immigrants have set up Hindu organizations, schools and universities abroad which promote the teachings of Hinduism and offer a platform to discuss and debate its philosophies. The growth of the Hindu diaspora in this way has allowed the religion to spread further than ever before.
Final Thoughts
The history of Hinduism is complex and diverse, and there are many theories about its exact origins. What is certain, though, is that Hinduism has been continuously shaped, influenced and evolved by various external forces, from nomadic tribes, to ancient religions, Islamic dynasties and Western colonialism. Today, the various strands of Hinduism are practiced by millions of people around the world, and its teachings are a source of spiritual guidance and solace to many.
