One word that defines Hinduism history is time immemorial.
It must be noted that the term ‘Hindu’ and ‘Hinduism’ is not
found in any of the important ancient religious texts associated with Hinduism.
The word ‘Hindu’ came into being with the arrival of Muslims invaders. They
called the people who lived along the Sindhu River as ‘Hindu’
and the place ‘Hindustan.’ The term Hindu and Hinduism was first widely used by
the British.
Most historians shy away from fixing a particular period
mainly because their claims will be easily challenged by other scholars. Every
theory regarding the origin of Hinduism has been challenged and it is an
ongoing controversy.
The earliest evidence of Hinduism is found in the Indus Valley civilization
(3300–1700 BC). Several figurines unearthed from here are 3-faced indicating them
to be the forerunner of Hindu trinity and some quite similar to Lingas – the
worshipping form of Lord Shiva.
But it must be understood here that the cultural level and
style of living of the people of Indus Valley Civilization was of the highest
kind and it cannot be attained overnight. They might have attained such high
level through steady progress over the years. So it would be right to say the
earliest seed of Hinduism was laid hundreds of years before Indus valley
civilization flourished.
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