Effects of Invasion on Hinduism

1. This week’s meeting, Effects of Invasions on Hinduism, focused on the history and the changes that Hinduism went through.  Hinduism is said to have began when the Aryans invaded the Indus River Valley civilization.  The Aryan’s invasion into the Valley marked the beginning of the Vedic culture and the foundation of Hinduism.  There has been a lot of debate of how the Aryans really affected Hinduism and whether or not they invaded the area. However, over the years, what we know as India today, was under the rule of two major empires- the Mughals and the British.  
   
   
2. Under the Mughal Empire, Hinduism went through periods where Mughal rulers were both tolerant and intolerant of the religion. Notable, tolerant rulers were Akbar and Babur. Both welcomed Hindus to practice their religion within the reign of the Mughal Empire. Babur took additional steps to protect the cows - considered sacred in Hinduism - and allowed the construction of new temples. During Akbar’s ruling years, he abolished the pilgrimage tax and allowed Hindus to conduct their pilgrimages fully. Aurangzeb, the last ruler of the Mughal Empire in India, was known to be very intolerant. He put the Sharia Law into effect and ended the policy of religious tolerance. Additionally, he ordered the destruction of Hindu temples and reinstated the tax. Persian influence can been seen in language and architecture of temple structures.
   
   
3. Under the British Empire, many Hindus experienced religious discrimination. They were not able to practice their religion freely once Christian missionaries and scholars began to come to India to “westernize” the country through religion.  Tension between Hindus and the British increased when the Hindus found out the British forced them to use cow grease for rifle bullets.  Also, the role of technology which disrupted the Indian- Hindus’ traditional, slow paced culture and economy added to the tension.  Furthermore, the British rule created increasing tension between the Indian- Hindu’s and Indian Muslims; which, is still a prevailing issue now.  However, all these cases gave the push for India to fight for Independence.  Ramakrishna and Gandhi are famous reformers who used Hindu teachings and knowledge to fight for Independence for India.
   
   
4. After independence, Hinduism started expanding westward.  Many Hindus Migrated to Great Britain and North America.  By the end of the millenium, Hindu communities were well established socially, economically and academically.  
   
   
5. From the research done for this meeting, it can be concluded that Hinduism can not be easily or uniformly characterized.  Challenges will cause for new developments; however, at the same time, practices and beliefs that have been there from the beginning are still maintained.  
   
   
6. Discussion questions :
1. What do you know about the development of Hinduism?  What factors influenced it?
2. Do you see these invasions as providing  a positive or a negative impact to Hinduism?
3. If there really was no Aryan invasion into the Indus River Valley, how do you think the Vedic culture came about?