Vedas and Indian Religion
A Milestone Documents E-text
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Vedas and Indian Religion
https://doi.org/10.3735/9781961844568.book.part.019

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Abstract

The notion of “Indian religion” presents modern scholars with significant difficulties, as it does not refer to a unified system of beliefs and practices. The umbrella term Hinduism, which was meant to cover the remarkable variety of indigenous Indian religious practices, did not see wide usage until the early nineteenth century but has since been accepted by most Hindus themselves. Often labeled as the oldest existing world religion, Hinduism indeed has its roots in deep antiquity, though its origin and early development are likely to remain a mystery.

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