Hinduism Chronology and History
Before 2200:
2200-1500:
- Indus Valley Civilization disappears
- Indus Valley Civilization's ending in 1500 BCE has 2 theories:
- Aryan Invasion Theory: Based on linguistic evidence (indo-germanic language family),
archaeological evidence, and interpretation of passages from the Vedas, 19th century
European scholarship formulated the Aryan invasion (or, at least, Migration) theory,
suggesting that Indo-germanic tribes invaded and destroyed the Indus civilization and
developed the Vedic culture.
- Counter Theory: Infrared scanning, which indicates that the river Sarasvati disappeared
in about 1900 BCE, and archaeological evidence which challenges theories suggesting a
violent conflict gave rise to the hypothesis that the Vedic culture has its roots in
today's northwest India.
- Beginning of what is called Vedic Period
1500-1000 BCE:
- Vedic Hymns are collected during Vedic Period
- Later these hymns called the Vedas become the basic scriptures of Hinduism,
which is a set of religions based in Indus Valley Civilization
- Include Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda
- Early religion called Sanatana Dharma, or Vedism, begins based on Vedic
Hymns
1000-500 BCE
- Collection of Expositions, which include Brahmanas and Upanisads, which
are also included in the scriptures of Hinduism
400 BCE - 400 CE:
- Compilation of the Mahabharata
- about 2 feuding families called the Kauravas and Pandavas who fight for a kingdom
- includes a dialogue between Arjuna (the protagonist) and the Hindu God Krsna, which is
told in the Bhagavad Gita, compiled from 200 BCE - 100 CE
- Interpretations of Upanisads called Smriti, which includes Vedanta Sutras, Dharma
Shastras, Yoga Sutras, and Smartas were compiled in this period
400 CE - 1200 CE:
- A reformation period for Hinduism
- Development of the six (orthodox) schools: Samkhya, Yoga, Vaisesika, Mimamsa,
Sankara's Advaita Vedanta
- New Interpretations of Vedanta by Ramanuja and Madhva
- Formation of different Hindu sects, such as:
- Vaishnavism-worship of the God Vishnu (5th-8th Centuries)
- Shaivism - worship of the God Shiva (5th-8th Centuries)
1200 CE - Today:
- Second Period of Challenge and Reaction to Hinduism
- vaishnavism, a form of bhakti yoga, which worships Vishnu; focuses on spirituality
rather than tradition and scripture
- Period in which Nanak (founder of Sikhism), Ramananda, and Kabir were actively working
to reform Hinduism
- Chaitanya Movement in 16th Century began to worship aboriginal gods
- Renaissance: 19th Century:
- rebirth and revival in Hinduism
- Brahma Samaj - a group formed in 1828 by Rammohan Roy to become liberated from customs
- Arya Samaj - radical group formed by Dayananda Saraswati
- reconversion - when Hindu people coverted to Islam or Christianity
- 20th Century
- Sri Aurobindo - integral yoga and non-dualism
- Radhakrishnan - Hindu universalism
- Mahatma Ghandi - political and religious leader supporting non-violence
- Vivekanada founds the Vedanta Society