1202369468 2006 Society and Culture Notes
HINDUISM
Historical basis of Hinduism:
Hinduism does not have a founder.
Its origins can be traced back as far as 3500 B.C.E, the date given for the civilisation of the Indus Valley.
‘Hindu’ derives from the word ‘Sindu”, the word the Persians gave to the Indus River.
This civilisation included a religion that centred on the worship of fertility gods and goddesses.
In 1500 B.C.E, the nomadic tribal group, the Aryans invaded India. They brought with them the worshipping of nature gods, an economic system based on cattle and the symbol of good luck and auspiciousness, the ‘svastika’.
The two beliefs began to fuse and this led to the development of Hinduism.
This was conveyed through the scriptures of the Aryans- the Vedas (more of which will be discussed later). Beliefs of the Indus people have been determined through archaeological finds.
The Aryans, now with adopted Indus beliefs, extended their settlements toward the Ganges River. By 1000 B.C.E, the Aryan culture had become predominant in northern India.
Even with India under Muslim and British rules, it did little to affect the grassroots level on traditional Hindu society. Nothing was able to threaten its stability.
However, Hinduism has undergone many adjustments and changes.
During the period from 500 B.C.E to 500 C.E saw the establishment in India of classical Hinduism (also known as Brahminical Hinduism). Hindu society was under threat from invader and breakaway cults such as Buddhism, Brahmins (the priestly aristocracy) asserted their authority as sole guardians of the faith. They established a sense of religious orthodoxy- a right way for Hindus to conduct their lives. They also imposed a keen sense of social order.
During this period a caste system was developed, which is one of Hindu’s most distinctive features. Also during this time, there was a decline in the Vedic cult of Hinduism.
Classical Hinduism became the basis of modern Hinduism.
The British rule of India lasted from 1757 till 1947.
Historical basis of Hinduism:
Hinduism does not have a founder.
Its origins can be traced back as far as 3500 B.C.E, the date given for the civilisation of the Indus Valley.
‘Hindu’ derives from the word ‘Sindu”, the word the Persians gave to the Indus River.
This civilisation included a religion that centred on the worship of fertility gods and goddesses.
In 1500 B.C.E, the nomadic tribal group, the Aryans invaded India. They brought with them the worshipping of nature gods, an economic system based on cattle and the symbol of good luck and auspiciousness, the ‘svastika’.
The two beliefs began to fuse and this led to the development of Hinduism.
This was conveyed through the scriptures of the Aryans- the Vedas (more of which will be discussed later). Beliefs of the Indus people have been determined through archaeological finds.
The Aryans, now with adopted Indus beliefs, extended their settlements toward the Ganges River. By 1000 B.C.E, the Aryan culture had become predominant in northern India.
Even with India under Muslim and British rules, it did little to affect the grassroots level on traditional Hindu society. Nothing was able to threaten its stability.
However, Hinduism has undergone many adjustments and changes.
During the period from 500 B.C.E to 500 C.E saw the establishment in India of classical Hinduism (also known as Brahminical Hinduism). Hindu society was under threat from invader and breakaway cults such as Buddhism, Brahmins (the priestly aristocracy) asserted their authority as sole guardians of the faith. They established a sense of religious orthodoxy- a right way for Hindus to conduct their lives. They also imposed a keen sense of social order.
During this period a caste system was developed, which is one of Hindu’s most distinctive features. Also during this time, there was a decline in the Vedic cult of Hinduism.
Classical Hinduism became the basis of modern Hinduism.
The British rule of India lasted from 1757 till 1947.