Scholars generally agree that Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, with roots and rituals dating back over 4,000 years.
While pinpointing an exact "birth date" for any religion is challenging due to the gradual evolution of beliefs and practices, the evidence suggests that Hinduism's origins predate other major world religions by centuries. Its development occurred over a long period, incorporating various cultural and religious influences. The earliest forms of what would become Hinduism can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, around 3300-1700 BCE. The composition of the Vedas, Hinduism's oldest scriptures, began around 1500 BCE.
The term "born first" can be interpreted in different ways:
- Oldest Organized Religion: Hinduism fits this definition, as its foundational texts and practices have been continuously evolving for millennia.
- Religion with the earliest written records: While there are debates about the precise dating of religious texts, the Vedas are among the oldest surviving religious scriptures.
Therefore, based on the evidence available, Hinduism holds the distinction of being the oldest religion.
