Hinduism Basics

Hinduism: An Overview

• Hinduism is the largest religion in India and the third largest in the world, with 80% of Indians practicing it.
• It developed over many centuries, starting with the people of the Indus Valley, and branched out into various forms.
• Hinduism has spread throughout Asia and the world, and has had a significant impact on the region.

Development and Spread of Hinduism

• Hinduism began with the Aryan people of the Indus Valley, who left behind evidence of their religion, including clay and stone figures of gods and goddesses.
• The Aryans spread their language and religion to the Dravidian people of India, and later to Southeast Asia through trade routes.
• Hindus built cities and temples in Southeast Asia, leading to the spread of Hinduism in the region.
• The oldest Hindu community in Southeast Asia is Langkasuka, a Hindu kingdom founded on the Malay Peninsula in the 2nd century CE.
• The largest Hindu temple in the world, Angkor Wat, was built in Cambodia in the 12th century and took over 600 years to complete.

The Caste System

• The caste system is a social structure in Hinduism where a person's place in society is determined by their job and birth.
• The caste system originated with the Aryan people and was divided into thousands of castes, each with its own role.
• The four main categories of the caste system are:
  • Brahmin: priests and academics
  • Kshatriya: warriors and kings
  • Vaishya: landowners, farmers, and merchants
  • Shudra: commoners, peasants, and servants
• About 20% of Hindus did not belong to the caste system and were known as Untouchables, the lowest class in society.
• The caste system was oppressive, with restrictions on eating, speaking, and marrying outside of one's caste.