History of Hinduism

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/history-of-hinduism

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

History of Hinduism. Small Whale. https://smallwhale.org/articles/history-of-hinduism. Accessed 2026-09-23. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. From the article, write the vedic period dates:Circa 1500 BCE to 500 BCE
2. From the article, write the major philosophical synthesis:The six Astika (orthodox) schools of Indian philosophy
3. What is Hinduism and where did it start?Hinduism is a very old religion that began in the Indian subcontinent. It grew from the mix of local cultures and people who moved in from the north. It has been around for thousands of years, even before the pyramids were built.
4. Who are some of the gods mentioned in the Vedas?The Vedas talk about gods like Indra, who is a king of the gods, Agni, the god of fire, and Varuna, who rules the waters.

Astika and Nastika Schools: Philosophical traditions categorized by their acceptance or rejection of Vedic authority.
Bhakti Movement: A devotional movement emphasizing intense love and personal connection with a chosen deity.
Hindu Reform Movements: 19th and 20th-century efforts to modernize, rationalize, and address social issues within Hinduism.