Hinduism and Ancient Indian History

Study Notes

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating from the ideas and customs of the Aryan people who settled in the Indus Valley around 1500 BCE.
Today, most Hindus live in India, with about 80% of India's population being Hindu.

The Vedas are poems and religious songs that were memorized by Hindu priests and later written down.
The Epics, including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, are sacred writings that contain important Hindu messages.

Hinduism is the third-largest religion, with approximately 900 million members worldwide.
Countries with significant Hindu populations include Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, and the USA.

Hindus believe in the Ultimate God, Brahman, and many other gods and goddesses, with the freedom to pray to whichever god they choose.
Different branches or sects have developed, including Vaishnavism (worship of Lord Vishnu) and Shaivism (worship of Lord Shiva).
Hindus have many choices in how they practice their religion, with some attending temples and others having private ceremonies at home.

Karma and Reincarnation: a person's spirit is reborn into another life form based on their past actions, with the ultimate goal of achieving moksha, or unity with God.
The Caste System: people are born into certain castes or social classes, which historically determined their job and place in society.
Dharma: people have a duty to do the right thing to fulfill their role in life.
The Ganges River: considered a holy river that purifies everything, with many pilgrims visiting sacred cities along its banks to pray and bathe.
Sacred Cows: cows are considered sacred, with one of the gods, Krishna, being a cow herder.