Hinduism as a religion has undergone multiple transformations from its Stone Age beginning between the middle of the sixth and third Millennia BCE, in the main heartland of India. Modern origins of the religious faith have their roots in the Vedas or holy texts with the earliest being the Rig Veda of about three thousand years ago.

The rise of mainstream Hinduism grew around the Sanscrit epics and drew influences overtime from major religious philosophies of the time including Janaism and Buddhism. Many Hindus converted into Buddhism with its unorthodox dismissal of the caste system, which hitherto had been a prerequisite to achieving basic happiness in life, or nirvana; nevertheless, the practice would resurface eventually in later orders of Hinduism.

The sixth century BCE saw the gradual fall of the Sanskrit culture, Buddhism declined and consequentially the rebirth of Hinduism began. The creed of introducing the Brahmin order during medieval times transformed the faith and gave rise to the basics of the religion, now known as Brahmin Hinduism.

The growth and apportioning nature of the faith showed a predilection towards literacy even when Europe was experiencing its medieval period with pre-literate tribal societies like the Puranas undergoing a culture shock that enabled them to compose new ideologies fashioned but radical from the old beliefs.

Despite the late rise of Islam in the seventh century AD, many Hindus continued their religious immigration of past times and joined the new faith abandoning their old traditions.

Hindu today has retained its medieval features and modern thought usually directs its limelight on the study of the translation of original texts by new Hindu philosophers as well as the exercise of ideal practices like yoga. Though Brahma is the supreme deity, the countless denominations that define the religion believe in the power of many Gods with some orders ranking Vishnu the first in the rank.