Origin and History 

Hinduism, the oldest religion in the world, boasts origins shrouded in mystery. Despite its immense antiquity, the exact story behind its creation remains unknown. Boasting over 1.25 billion followers, Hinduism is the third largest religion globally, behind Christianity and Islam. Despite the challenge of tracing its inception, the endurance of Hinduism over countless civilizations speaks to its enduring influence and impact.

Hinduism in the Indus Valley Civilization

Nevertheless, the earliest relics of Hinduism can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. From the ruins of India’s oldest perceivable society, archaeologists retrieved artifacts depicting local deities that bore a strong resemblance to the Hindu God Shiva. If those artifacts are to be considered the first instance of the ancient religion, then the legacy of Hinduism can be estimated at around 5000 years old. 

While there is no terminology to describe religion and religious practices during the Indus Valley Civilization, it certainly bore a resemblance to Hinduism. The highly developed society of the Indus Valley had ceremonial baths, statues of their deities, and other religious practices that indicate that Hinduism could very well have originated in the plateau surrounding Mohenjodaro and Harappa, but due to lack of documented evidence, this claim only remains a hypothesis.

The Arrival of the Aryans

Without concrete evidence of a founder or an established society, the roots of Hinduism are still widely debated within India, the country that holds 95% of the world’s entire Hindu population. The establishment of the religion is often credited to the Aryans, a group of Indo-European nobles who settled in the Indian peninsula after the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization in 2000 BCE. These immigrants adopted the local Harrapan customs along with their own beliefs to give birth to the earliest version of modern Hinduism. Other beliefs suggest that the Hindu faith has simply existed since the birth of the universe.

These multiple beliefs surrounding the origin of Hinduism coupled with its uncertain genesis have resulted in a religion that celebrates its rich diversity in the form of varied philosophies and cultures. Although Hinduism has no unified theory of its origin, the rich antiquity of the religion has shaped the development and history of an entire country.

Before the arrival of the Aryans, Hinduism was still in its initial phases. Rather than being a discernible religion, it was a group of philosophical beliefs that were accepted in a single society. Even if sacred texts and principles existed in the Indus Valley Civilization, it would not be enough to classify Hinduism as a religion. The faith took proper form after the arrival of the Aryans in 2000 BCE. Even if there are conflicting opinions regarding the role the Aryans played in the birth of Hinduism, the fact that they provided order to the religion and preached it across the country is of no contention.

The first major step taken by the Aryans to completely change the history of Hinduism was to compose a group of sacred texts called the Vedas. The Vedas were a set of four scriptures and are considered to be the oldest instances of Sanskrit literature. These texts are the fundamental unit upon which the Hindu religion is built. Such was the relevance of these scriptures, that the era of their composition and proliferation was termed the Vedic Age.

The Vedic Ages

The Vedic period began around 1500 BCE and existed for about 1000 years. This era was deeply influenced by streams of study such as philosophy, spirituality, metaphysics, and astrology. The rulers of India were deeply devoted to the study of the Vedas and all major political and economic decisions had an underlying religious context.

The Vedic age is divided into the early and the later Vedic ages with the former ranging from 1500 to 1000 BCE and the latter from 1000 to 600 BCE. The four Vedas were widely preached during the Vedic period and strongly influenced the culture of the region. People worshipped deities through Yajnas while chanting verses from the Rigveda, the first of the four Vedas.

The people in the early Vedic age were highly spiritual beings who believed in the transmigration of the soul. They believed in Satya and Rita, the two principles that governed the existence of mankind. Concept of Satya preached that every being is integrated into the Absolute. Rita is the medium through which Satya organized and coordinated the movements of the Universe.

Towards the latter part of the Vedic age, Hinduism developed beyond the original four Vedas. New holy scriptures in the form of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita emerged in the country that went beyond the conservative ritual approach of the Vedas. The Upanishads led to the development of spiritual beliefs in Hinduism and introduced the concepts of Atman and Paramatman which are fundamental principles of the faith.

Apart from the development in spirituality, the Vedic Ages are also considered to be the period in which the events of the two most important epics in Hindu Mythology, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, occurred. Both these epics tell the tales of great warriors who fought and defeated evil with the grace of God. From The Ramayana and The Mahabharata, one can conclude that the Vedic age was a period of great spiritual significance. The composition of the holy scriptures and the exploration of the concepts of Atman and Paramatman help us paint a picture of the philosophy of Hinduism from 1500 to 600 BCE.

Hinduism in the Gupta Empire

With the completion of the composition of the Upanishads, the Vedic Age in India came to an end. For the first time in a millennium, the teachings of the Veda began to face contention. People began to observe the repercussions of a rigid Vedic society and began stepping up against the orthodox approach of Hinduism. One such individual who saw the flaws in the Hindu society was Siddhartha Gautama or as he is known in the world of religion, Gautama Buddha. Post-Vedic Age, religions such as Buddhism and Jainism surfaced in India, disturbing the power held within the verses of the Vedas. Although these texts constantly challenged the teachings of the Hindu religion, they were dismissed as a cult as they possessed no political or economic power.

For a few centuries, Hinduism in India remained stagnant. While all three religions existed peacefully, there were no significant modifications in the way they were governed. The religions of India discovered newfound order under the rule of the Gupta Dynasty in the 3rd Century CE. The Guptas were the first dynasty to successfully unify India and in doing so managed to integrate the religions into one kingdom. The Gupta rulers promoted Hinduism throughout their territory and it was during this period that the legends of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata were canonized.

The Gupta rule in India lasted for many centuries, before ultimately collapsing in 600 CE due to various reasons. Even without a unified governing body, Hinduism continued to flourish within the subcontinent until the arrival of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th Century CE.

Delhi Sultanate: A Dark Period for Hinduism

Until the 13th Century, India had only had brief encounters with Islamic rulers. Wars were fought in northern India, but no Muslim king had managed to break through India’s defense, until the Sultanate. A weakened India with no powerful rulers, faced the wrath of the Qutb al-Din Aibak and Mohammaed Ghori as they established the first of many Islamic dynasties in India.

The initial centuries of the Delhi Sultanate’s rule had catastrophic effects on Hinduism in India. The rulers demolished Hindu temples, wrecked statues, and burned scriptures. After the golden age of Hinduism under the Guptas, the people of India were going through their darkest days. It wasn’t until the latter part of the Tughlaq dynasty’s rule that the treatment of Hindus became a little more tolerant. Despite slight acceptance shown by a few rulers, the three centuries of the Delhi Sultanate plunged Hinduism into darkness.

The Delhi Sultanate was immediately followed by another Ismalic dynasty, the Mughals. Unlike the Sultans before them, the Kings of the Mughal empire were far more considerate towards the feelings of Hindus. Under emperor Akbar’s rule, Hindus were promoted to the ranks of Zamindar and were given equal priority while applying for government roles. Under the Mughals, apart from Aurungzeb, India witnessed coexistence, if not harmony, among the religions of the country. This mutual existence lasted throughout the British Raj and despite conflicts occurring occasionally, the popularity of Hinduism has increased substantially.

Hindu Gods and Goddess

In Hinduism, the concept of a single universal being is widely supported. This being is the embodiment of Brahman or the entire universe. Every other being that is living or has ever lived is merely a manifestation of this supreme being. 

So, is Hinduism monotheistic?

The answer is NO, Despite having the notion of a single universal god, Hinduism is in no way a monotheistic religion. While the one God is the ultimate deity, Hinduism has over 33 million gods that are worshipped throughout the world, which makes them henotheistic, which means they worship a single deity, known as “Brahman,” but still recognize other gods and goddesses.

Trinity in Hinduism: The Three Supreme Gods

Trinity (also known as Trimurti or Trideva) is the triple deity of the supreme Godhead in Hinduism comprising Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. 

In Hinduism, different deities are associated with different cosmic roles such as water, rain, fire, and wind but three Gods are revered above all. 

The Gods Vishnu and Shiva are widely worshipped throughout the country by all classes and subgroups of Hinduism. Lord Vishnu is depicted with light blue skin and four arms. The deity is often portrayed wielding a disc called the Sudarshana chakra in one hand, along with a lotus, a mace, and a conch in his other three. Lord Vishnu is always accompanied by his wife Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune. Of all the Gods in Hinduism, Vishnu is often considered the most powerful and the closest representation of the universal being or the Brahman. 

Vishnu is said to have appeared on the earth in (Dashavatara) Ten different avatars, to fulfill an important role and rid mankind of evil. Rama from The Ramayana and Krishna from The Mahabharata are believed to be incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Interestingly, Hindus also support the theory that Gautama Buddha, who opposed Vedic teachings and gave birth to a new religion, was also an incarnation of the divine Vishnu. It is believed that the last avatar of Vishnu, Kalki will appear at the end of the Kali Yuga

to rid the world of adharma and lead it into the Satya Yuga, a time of peace and dharma (righteousness) 

While Vishnu is often associated with love and kindness, Lord Shiva has the reputation of being a fearsome warrior. The deity is depicted donning a single piece of leopard skin clothing. From his messy hair, one can observe the origin of the river Ganga. He is often seen wielding a Trishul in one hand and a Damaru in the other. Married to the Goddess Parvati, Shiva resides in Mount Kailash occasionally making an appearance on the mainland to destroy evil.

The Devas: Celestial Beings of Heaven

Apart from these three supreme Gods who are often termed Trimurthi, Hinduism has a wide range of deities called Devatas and Devis. These Gods have their assembly situated in the Svarga Loka or heaven and are tasked with controlling and managing earthly elements. The king of the Devas is Indra, the God of rain and thunder. Other notable Hindu Devatas include Agni, the god of fire, Vayu, the god of wind, Varuna, the god of water, Yama, the god of death, and Surya, the Sun God. 

Gods and deities in Hinduism have played a major role in the way the religion has been shaped over the years. Gods have made regular appearances in mythological tales and stories and are presumed to have even influenced real-life historic events. For example, the Palk Strait, a series of rocks connecting the Indian subcontinent to the country of Sri Lanka is believed to have been created by Lord Rama with the blessing of the ocean God, Varuna to provide the Vanara Sena passage into the kingdom of Lanka. 

Zoomorphism: Animal Gods in Hinduism

Zoomorphism is a pervasive theme in ancient Sanskrit texts and Indian Epics – The Mahabharata and The Ramayana, which project human qualities upon animals and imagine humans as animals.

In Hinduism most of the deities resemble a smarter and more divine version of human beings, there are a few Gods who share their appearance with animals. Two of the most popular deities in Hinduism, Ganesha and Hanuman resemble an elephant and a monkey respectively. 

Lord Ganesha who is worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the deva of intellect and wisdom has the head of an elephant. A young Ganesha challenged his father Shiva while he was trying to enter his mother Parvati’s chamber. In his anger, Shiva chopped off Ganesha’s head, only to discover that the young child was Parvati’s and his son was born out of a mud statue. To console a heartbroken Parvati, Shiva sent search parties across the world to find a replacement for Ganesha’s head. When all their efforts failed, they decided to install the head of an elephant.

Hanuman, the monkey God is known for his devotion, loyalty, and sheer might. The deity played a crucial role in the Hindu epic Ramayana, fighting beside Lord Rama and dedicating his whole life to the service of the king. Tales of Hanuman’s strength are legendary in Hinduism and it is believed that the Monkey God single-handedly carried an entire mountain from the Himalayas thousands of kilometers away to the kingdom of Lanka.

Zoomprohism in the Hindu religion is not limited to just deities resembling animals. The concept of Zoomorphism emphasizes the importance of treating animals as one would treat humans and recognizing their contribution to the evolution of mankind. An animal that Hindus consider highly sacred is the cow. The cow’s role of providing milk to people has earned it the title of ‘Mata’ or mother and Hindu societies have worshipped the animal as a deity for its contribution to humanity.

Pooja: The Hindu Way of Worshipping

A massive number of gods and deities are worshipped through thousands of temples spread across the world. Hindu temples, with their unique architecture, and extravagant decorations are a sight to behold. The patron god of any temple is usually situated at its heart and is depicted in the form of an idol or a statue. A priest often called a pujari chants mantras from the holy scriptures to invoke the deity. After the end of the prayer session or the pooja, the people gathered to worship receive a simple vegetarian delicacy called Prasada that is consumed as a sign of respect and devotion to the deity.

During the Pooja, the deity is showered with flowers, holy water, and sometimes even milk. The area in and around the temple is lit up with candles symbolizing the defeat of darkness and the triumph of light. Most Hindu households have a small room dedicated to worship. Similar to a temple, this area has small statues and images of deities and a ceremonial candle to pay homage to the gods.

Deities in Hinduism are not feared but widely respected. People are under the constant reassurance that the eternal being is watching over them all. This respect and devotion to God are some of the fundamental driving forces in Hinduism with many deities holding a special place in the hearts of Hindu followers.

Hinduism Sacred Texts

“Scriptures are an invaluable source of knowledge because it is only through their study that the mind is filled with good thoughts. Good thoughts help us in leading a virtuous life. This is the sure way for the growth of the mind and also to acquire eternal happiness and peace.” 

This lesson from the Rigveda explains the collective sentiment of Hinduism towards holy scriptures and spiritual texts. Texts in Hinduism are studied not as literature but as sources of divine wisdom. To the reader, they reveal the nature of the universe, the intricacies of life, the concepts of birth and death, and the existence of Dharma and karma. Hindu scriptures are an amalgamation of ideas, philosophies, and historical events, defining the religion and giving it a viable form.

Smriti and Shruti

Scriptures in Hinduism are classified into two categories –

1. Shruti: that which is heard
2. Smriti: which is remembered.

This classification is made based on the authorship of the scriptures. Scriptures that have known and recognized authors are called Smriti. These include The Puranas, The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, The Sutras, and the Shastras. Shruti, on the other hand, is a group of texts that have been composed neither by humans nor by celestials (apauruṣeya) but have been transmitted by rishis and sages. The content within these texts is believed to be the universal truth that transcends the limitations of time. The Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Brahmanas are the most popular examples of Shruti.

The Vedas

Of the thousands of holy texts in Hinduism, the Vedas are the oldest. It is believed that the Vedas are authorless and their relevance dates back to the birth of the universe. There are four Vedas in Hinduism: the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. Each Veda is further divided into four categories: the Samhitas, the Aranyakas, the Brahmanas, and the Upanishads. These four components of the Vedas discuss different aspects of Hindu tradition and philosophy. 

The Samhitas talk about the mantras and the verses that are used to invoke God. These make up the bulk of the text and are recited even today. The Aranyakas discuss and decipher the purpose behind Hindu customs and rituals. Rather than blindly forcing people to follow tradition, the Aryanakas explain the philosophy behind the practices from various perceptions. The Brahmanas are the guidelines followed by Brahmins while performing rituals and prayers. Apart from explaining the science behind the Samhitas, the Brahmanas are also responsible for the propagation of science during ancient times. The final segment of the Vedas, the Upanishads is considered the most important scripture in Hinduism. The Upanishads are the latest addition to the Vedas and discuss deeply spiritual and philosophical concepts like meditation, Atman and Paramatman, the functioning of the Brahman, and the eternal existence of the soul.

The Hindu Epics

Perhaps the most widely read and recreated scriptures in Hinduism are the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. These epics are composed in Sanskrit and are extremely long poems containing hundreds of thousands of verses. Although the epics seem fictional with elements of supernatural and magic in abundance, the lessons learned from these texts go beyond the structural approach of literature.

These epics are a testament to the incredible willpower, dedication, and courage possessed by the characters. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata essentially re-iterate the teachings of the Vedas but in a manner that has enticed a much larger reader base. 

Written by Valmiki during the latter part of the Vedic Age, the Ramayana talks about the battle of Lanka where Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of the deity Vishnu battled the evil Asura king Ravana and vanquished Adharma from the earth. The Ramayana is an immensely popular narrative and has been recreated thousands of times in modern-day India and other south Asian countries. Although the epic is filled with extravagant tales, heroes, and villains, in its essence, the Ramayana is a tale of Dharma, teaching the readers that despite the strength of evil, good always triumphs in the end.

The second Hindu epic, the Mahabharata is the largest poem to be ever composed and is roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. Written by the sage Veda Vyasa, the epic follows the journey of the Kuru Clan, where the cousins, the Pandavas, and the Kauravas, engage in a devastating war for their kingdom. The Mahabharata is an extremely significant scripture in Hinduism as it contains another major scripture within its verses, the Bhagavad Gita. 

The Gita was narrated by Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, to the warrior Arjuna, just before the great war. At the forefront of his army, just before the war began,  Arjuna questioned his decision to fight. The warriors he was fighting against were his family members and teachers. He asked his charioteer Krishna, how he could fight against his kin. It was then that Krishna revealed his true nature as the primordial being of the universe. He taught Arjuna the ways of the universe, the concept of the soul, the temporary nature of the body, and the importance of ending Adharma. 

Scriptures in Hinduism have deeply affected the spiritualism and the philosophy with which the religion is approached. Unlike the holy books of other religions, Hindu texts force people to look beyond what the eye can perceive and notch up their imagination to cosmic proportions.

Hinduism Symbols

Symbols in Hinduism often hold profound meanings and iconify highly spiritual concepts within a single character. Some symbols have overstepped national boundaries and are recognized throughout the world.

Om: The Vibration of the Universe

One of the most important symbols in Hinduism is the character ‘Om’ (pronounced Aum), a single Sanskrit syllable that is generally considered the universal symbol of the religion. The sound released by the utterance of ‘Om’ is a divine vibration that resonates with the rhythm of the Universe. 

Swastika: The Symbol of Purity

The Swastika is yet another symbol that possessed immense sacred value. It represents the purity of the soul, stability in life, and the importance of truth. While the Swastika has been misrepresented as a Nazi symbol, its true essence lies in Hinduism

The Bindi 

Other forms of Hindu symbolism include decorative artifacts that are worn on the body. A bindi is such a symbol that is applied on the forehead of women. While the initial intention of the Bindi was to reveal the religious affiliation of a lady, it is now widely adopted as a decorative item between the eyebrows.

Hinduism Beliefs 

The elements of Hinduism that distinguish the religion from its younger counterparts are the wide range of spiritual principles and philosophies that are deeply respected by all Hindus. These principles are the reason that Hinduism is no longer just a religion but a highly effective and influential way of life. 

Ashrama: The Stages of Hindu Life

While Hindu philosophies discuss the existence of cosmic beings, they also explain how a Hindu should lead the ideal dharmic life. For a Hindu person, the circle of life is divided into four stages. The first stage, the Bhramacharya, is the student phase. During these formative years, the ideal Hindu remains celibate devoting his entire focus towards education. The individual is then promoted to Grihastha, where the priority is on raising a family and maintaining the household. This is the stage, where an individual forms material attachments to objects and people and pursues the pleasures of life. The Vanaprastha stage is when the person retires and hands over all their responsibilities to the next generation. The name ‘Vanaprastha’ suggests that it is time for the person to migrate to the forest. The final stage, Sannyasa, is when the person lets go of all material possessions and leads the life of an ascetic. 

Purushartha: The Objects of Human Pursuit

While an Individual goes through the Ashrama stages of life, he/ she is tasked with achieving four fundamental goals that encompass all aspects of life. The first and most important purpose of an individual’s life is to attain Dharma. Dharma is one of the paramount philosophies of Hinduism wherein a person strives to lead a life of righteousness and moral rectitude. Dharma is the primary driving force in Hinduism and every Hindu must choose a path of Dharma over Adharma. The second aim in life is to achieve Artha in the form of financial stability and economic value. The third stage involves achieving sexual pleasure and emotional fulfillment. This stage is called The Kama.

A person who goes through the stages of Ashrama life and attains the three goals of Purushartha becomes one step closer to attaining Moksha, the ultimate goal that can be attained in Hinduism. Moksha refers to liberation and is attained when a person is freed from the cycle of death and rebirth. A person who has attained Moksha is no longer stuck in the Samsara (cycle of reincarnation) and is free from all suffering.

Birth, Rebirth, and Karma

However, to attain Moksha a person must have a pure soul, that pursued Dharma is not just one life, but all of them. In Hinduism, death is not the end, it is merely a process where the soul or the Atman discards one body and assumes another. As the soul migrates into another body, the actions of the soul transfer with it. Therefore, for every action performed in one life, the repercussions or the rewards will be received in another. This is the philosophy of Karma, where the soul reaps what it sows. The Atman of a person who has achieved a clear Karmic conscience and upheld Dharma will be freed from the shackles of life and death to attain Moksha.

Atman and Paramatman

A soul that has been liberated from the Samsara will return to its original state, as a segment of the Absolute soul or the Paramatman. Everything soul in the cosmos is a part of the Paramatman and returns to it after attaining Moksha. A popular analogy to explain Atman and Paramatman is through the water cycle. Water from the ocean evaporates and goes through multiple states before ultimately returning to its source, that’s how the Paramatman works. The concept of Paramatman is quite similar to another Hindu belief, the Brahman. The Brahman, like the Absolute Soul, is the universe and everything inside the universe. Every deity, human, animal, plant, and organism are all a part of the Brahman and a soul that transcends the samsara is returned to Brahman where it conjoins with the Paramatman.

Varna in Hinduism

The earliest traces of social stratification within the Hindu community can be traced back to the arrival of the Aryans. While there are speculations regarding the existence of a sophisticated Hindu civilization during the Indus Valley period, the lack of evidence on the topic compels us to study the Aryans as the first instance of Hindu society.

Caste System in Hinduism

During the Vedic Age, people of Hindu societies were divided into four categories based on their caste or Varna. These categories were – Bhramins: the priests who performed rituals for gods, Kshatriyas: Warriors and soldiers who wielded arms and protected the kingdom, Vaishyas: the sect that indulged in trade and marketing and finally Shudras, who performed daily wage chores such as cleaning and sweeping.

In the early part of the Vedic age, these social parameters were yet to take form. Although their existence was acknowledged, there was no rigidity in terms of the roles assigned to a person. In the Rig Veda, there are no instances of the terms ‘Vaishya’ and ‘Shudra’ and no mention of specific Varnas in the society. People were free to follow the occupations of their choice and enjoyed social freedom. Although members of the royal families luxuriated in various additional benefits, the society as a whole was majorly egalitarian.

This societal freedom, however, did not last for long. As Hinduism developed during the Vedic Ages, the concept of Varnas started to become widely enforced. People no longer had the liberty to go after the profession of their choice and had to adhere to a strict caste system. Jobs were assigned not on the merit of skill but based on birth. With a more rigid Varna system in place, the four castes within Hinduism began to drift apart until their co-existence became a sin.

The Four Varnas

The Brahmins were considered the purest and the most learned caste of the four. Only they were allowed to study the Vedas and were believed to be messengers of Gods. The Brahmins became the propagators of knowledge and were the most respected caste in Hinduism. 

The Kshatriyas became an elite group of noble warriors and kings who were tasked with the protection of the kingdom. While the Brahmins enjoyed the honor of being the most elite caste, the Kshatriyas were the most powerful. They ruled kingdoms and fought wars. They brought in wealth from other lands and maintained order in society. 

The general population, one that engaged in agriculture, trade, cattle rearing, and money-lending were termed Vaishyas. As the third caste, the Vaishyas did not enjoy the respect nor the benefit that was bestowed upon the Brahmins or the Kshatriyas. They were tasked with the responsibility of making life easier for the higher classes by providing them with food and clothing.

With the other castes taking up major roles in society, it was up to the Shudras to perform labor-intensive roles and serve the higher classes. Initially, the Shudras, although the lowest caste in Hinduism, were treated with respect. As Hindu society developed during the Vedic ages, the position of the Shudras became worse. In many places, the Shudras were considered untouchable and were denied entry into temples and other places that were visited by the higher castes. Shudras were forced to drink water from separate wells and carry brooms on their back to prevent their footsteps from polluting the holy land of the Brahmins and Kshatriyas.

Hindu Society Post Vedic Age

After the Vedic Period, the rigidity of the caste system subsided. Some people even believe that the Gupta empire, one of the major dynasties in India, was a Vaishya clan. Moreover, with the formation of religions such as Buddhism and Jainism, which rejected the idea of caste altogether, people were able to break from the shackles of caste and live dignified lives. However, under the British Raj, the caste system in Hinduism started to regain its hostility.

The lower caste was oppressed and discriminated against and faced the brunt of British cruelty. This time, however, their voices were not unheard. People from the untouchable community stood up against the unjust nature of the caste system and rallied for their welfare. Notable individuals such as B.R Ambedkar, the father of the Indian constitution, and Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, fought against caste discrimination and brought about significant reforms in the constitution to give members of the lower castes equal opportunities in the country.

Conclusion

As the oldest religion in the world, Hinduism has had ample time to develop and progress. Despite dark stages in their history and customs that defy logic, Hinduism has emerged stronger and larger than ever. 

For an average non-Hindu, the customs, traditions, and philosophies of Hinduism might seem baffling. The existence of a formless Brahman, castes based on occupation, deities resembling animals, and transmigration of the soul, are all concepts that give Hinduism a distinctive reputation across the world. But if one were to strip Hinduism of all these accolades and spiritual beliefs, at its very core, it emerges as a way of life, dictating the existence of over a billion people. It compels people to be their better selves, motivates them to follow a path of righteousness, and stray away from Adharma. Hinduism assures people that for every good deed they do, they will be rewarded, it gives people hope that one day they will break free from the shackles of Samsara and reunite with the Universe.