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The Indus River Valley civilization develops and flourishes. Evidence of early Hindu practice is archaeologically dated to this vanished culture.
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The Aryan warrior culture conquers the Indus River Valley. They introduce the Sanskrit language to the area and bring major influences in the development of Hinduism.
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The Vedic Age in which the Rig Veda is written. This sacred text reflects the influence of joining the Aryan and Indus River Valley cultures.
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The Brahmanas and Upanishads are written. They are added to the original Vedas.
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The Age of Protest is a time period of shifting views. Buddhism and Jainism break away from the main flow of Hinduism.
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Hindus respond the break away of Buddhism and Jainism. This results in further alterations of the teachings of Hinduism.
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Alexander the Great brings his army and the influence of Greek civilization into the northernmost regions of India. The Indian Mauryan Empire is created to counter this Greek invasion of culture and ideas.
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Ashoka becomes Emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty. He rules from 268 to 232 BC.
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Hinduism returns as the dominant religion of India. Temples and monuments are built to honor Hindu ideas, gods and beliefs. This is the era of the Hindu Renaissance.
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Bhakti movements begin to develop in India. It originates in south India and spreads northwards.
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Shankara teaches the reality of One Brahman or One God. This introduces significant monotheistic beliefs into Hinduism.
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Muslims arrive in India. They influence the evolution of the Hindu faith.
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Europeans arrive in India. They pursue colonization and commercial goals within the Hindu world.
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The era of Mahatma Gandhi. He has a profound influence on Hinduism and India.
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India becomes an independent country and enters the modern era. They possess nuclear weapons and suffer from religious tension among their Muslim and Hindu populations.
