History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s9.6

v3.c41.s9.6

In the previous chapters we have spoken of the ramification of caste and the change in marriage and other customs which took place in this sub-period of Hindu history. We have also spoken of the rise of new sects of Śaivas and Vaiṣṇavas in this sub-period which caused religious disunion in the Hindu society. We will speak in this chapter of other aspects of Hinduism generally and show how Hinduism assumed its modern form at the close of the mediæval Hindu period and how essentially it differed from the Vedic form of Hinduism or what may be called Vedic Aryanism. It is impossible that Hinduism could have remained the same through the long period of 4000 years which elapsed from the recital of the Veda-saṃhitās by Vyāsa down to the conquest of Northern India by Mahomedans. Yet it seems that the Hindu religion still kept itself in touch with the religion of the Vedic Rishis.