The History of Hindu India
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The history of today’s Hindus, one-sixth of our human race, extends back beyond recorded history. In The History of Hindu India, we pick up the threads of Hindu practice evident in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization, which was the largest and in many ways the most advanced of the ancient civilizations. From there we trace the development of Hinduism through the early empires of India, a time of great advances in science, architecture, art and literature–during which Europe was experiencing the Middle Ages. Then came the years of trial by invasion, followed by colonization and finally, in the 20th century, independence. Throughout these periods of history, we highlight the people, philosophical ideas and religious practices that are key to the Hindu religion today.
The History of Hindu India is written for sixth or seventh grade world history and social studies classes in US schools. It is intended to correct the highly deficient presentation of India and the Hindu religion in the existing books, all of which reduce Hinduism to a single concept: caste. As it covers Hinduism and Indian history right up to the present day, it is also suitable for high-school world religions and Advanced Placement history classes. The History of Hindu India has even been used in college course work, due to its refreshingly authentic, terse but comprehensive presentation of the world’s most ancient faith.
Hinduism Today magazine, published by Himalayan Academy, has long been engaged in an effort with other Hindu organizations to correct the teaching of the history of India and Hinduism in US schools.
The material in this book was created over a period of four years in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai. It has been reviewed by a panel of academic experts and Hindu community consultants.
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