{"id":11351,"date":"2024-01-08T20:05:13","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T19:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.believerspray.com\/?p=11351"},"modified":"2024-01-08T20:05:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T19:05:13","slug":"when-did-hinduism-begin-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.believerspray.com\/when-did-hinduism-begin-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"When Did Hinduism Begin In India"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background<\/h2>\n

Hinduism is a practice followed by the majority of people in India and is the oldest religion in South Asia. It is believed to have started 5,000 to 4,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest surviving religions in the world today. Many great civilizations have flourished in India and each one influenced the Hindu faith in some way through the exchange of ideas and growth of the religion. Even though Hinduism is practiced in many other countries, its roots and origins can be traced back to India. <\/p>\n

Origins<\/h2>\n

There is no definitive answer to when Hinduism began in India. Although there are several theories and hypotheses, none of them can give a precise estimate of its age. Historians of the Vedic period, who lived between 1500 BC and 500 BC, inform us that the Rigveda, Elder or Oldest Veda, was composed in the second millennium BCE. This showed that the early Vedic religion had elements of sacrifice, magical rituals and recitation of verses from the Rig Veda, which are believed to have served as the precursor to modern day Hinduism. <\/p>\n

Development<\/h2>\n

It is generally accepted that Hinduism developed around 700 AD, which is when we start seeing the emergence of the Brahmana, the priests located at the core of the new Hindu system. These Brahmana were responsible for sanctifying the rituals and worship of gods, and they also laid down certain practices, such as the caste system, which became one of the fundamental elements of Hinduism. Furthermore, they started spreading the Vedic practices and elements of worship to the masses. Over the centuries, this system of worship and religious practices came synthesized into what we now call Hinduism. <\/p>\n

Influences<\/h2>\n

Hinduism has been greatly influenced by other religions during its development. Buddhism and Jainism, which are some of India’s oldest religions, have both been absorbed into the Hindu faith throughout history. Furthermore, elements of Islam have also been integrated into Hinduism due to the presence of Muslim rulers in North India from the 10th century onwards. These influences have all helped to shape Hinduism into a complex system of religious beliefs and practices. <\/p>\n

Relevance<\/h2>\n