Hinduism is the oldest of the five major religions we will learn about today.

The Indo-Europeans The Indo-Europeans were a group of nomadic people who came from the steppes- dry grassland areas north of the Caucasus Mountains. They migrated- moving from one region to another, from the steppes all over Europe Hittites- one group of Indo-Europeans located in Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey) Hittites conquered the Babylonians and adopted many aspects of the Mesopotamia culture The Hittites excelled in the technology of war and iron, and rode into battle in chariots

Hittites

Story of Hinduism India’s first civilization developed in the Indus River Valley. The first Indian civilization began with two cities- Harappa (he rap e) and Mohenjo-Daro (mo hen jo dar o). About 30,000 people lived in each city. The river connected the cities, which were 400 miles apart. About 1500 B.C. this civilization suddenly ended. No one know why. For the next 500 years, people fought wars in the Indus River Valley. Many wandering soldiers poured into India. They fought with each other and with the people who came before them. Over hundreds of years, these people married one another. They developed the set of beliefs and practices called Hinduism.

Hinduism Click on blank square to watch video.

Indus River Valley Civilization

India’s first civilization developed in the Indus River Valley. The first Indian civilization began with two cities- Harappa (he rap e) and Mohenjo-Daro (mo hen jo dar o). About 30,000 people lived in each city. The river connected the cities, which were 400 miles apart. About 1500 B.C. this civilization suddenly ended. No one know why. For the next 500 years, people fought wars in the Indus River Valley. Many wandering soldiers poured into India. They fought with each other and with the people who came before them. Over hundreds of years, these people married one another. They developed the set of beliefs and practices called Hinduism.

Hinduism began in India around 1500 B. C Hinduism began in India around 1500 B.C. and is still the dominant religion of India. Hinduism is a set of beliefs and practices developed by the various people that populated India during this period of time. India’s first civilization developed in the Indus River Valley. The first Indian civilization began with two cities- Harappa (he rap e) and Mohenjo-Daro (mo hen jo dar o). About 30,000 people lived in each city. The river connected the cities, which were 400 miles apart. About 1500 B.C. this civilization suddenly ended. No one know why. For the next 500 years, people fought wars in the Indus River Valley. Many wandering soldiers poured into India. They fought with each other and with the people who came before them. Over hundreds of years, these people married one another. They developed the set of beliefs and practices called Hinduism.

The Vedas The primary text of Hinduism is the Vedas. The sacred teachings and prayers of Hinduism are written in the Vedas. From 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C., writers added to the Vedas. It is the oldest religious writings still being used today.

Their many Gods or Idols are just different faces of Brahman. The Hindu God The Hindus, or the people who practice Hinduism, believe that everything is God, or Brahman. Their many Gods or Idols are just different faces of Brahman. Their holy writings explain that “Braham is One, and yet expresses itself as many.” Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Polytheism is the belief in many gods.

Reincarnation

Reincarnation This cycle of birth, death and rebirth keeps happening until a soul reaches perfection. Then the cycle ends, and the soul becomes one with Brahman. Hindus believe that all living things have souls. These souls are part of Brahman. Hindus believe in reincarnation, or the rebirth of a soul into a new body. After people die, their souls find a new home. This home is in a body of another person or animal. Karma: future reincarnation based on present behavior.

Reincarnation

Caste The caste system was the strict social order in classical India. It determined a person’s occupation, economic potential, and social status (position in society). Individuals were born into the caste of their parents and couldn’t change it during their lifetime. The caste system was a means of social control based on the Hindu belief in reincarnation. According to this belief, obedience and good behavior in this life gives a person good karma, which will be rewarded with reincarnation into a higher caste in the next life until perfection is achieve. The caste system is now illegal in India, but it still influences everyday life in India.

Mohandas Gandhi (1869 – 1948) attempted to reform Hinduism by de-emphasizing the caste system and using certain Hindu concepts to develop the idea of nonviolent protest to British rule.

Gandhi & Passive Resistance Click on picture to watch video.

By 1500 A.D., Hinduism spread throughout India and part of Southeast Asia. Hinduism is concentrated mostly in India today.