The word Hindu evolved from being the word used by the Persians for the Indus River in 500 BC to the accepted name for the primary religion of India, this name was originally given by foreign rulers and finally used by Europeans in the 1500s as the official name of the religion. History plays an important role in Hinduism because new developments reinterpret and update past practices rather than ending them. The Hindu religion is divided into three periods: Vedic period, Upanishadic period, Classical period and Devotional period. The Vedic period lasted from 1500 to 600 BC The Dravidian civilization was located in the Indus Valley of northwestern India, this area is now known as Pakistan. The Dravidians were also advanced for their time by having a sewage system connected to houses. It is believed that the Dravidians worshiped fertility goddesses due to the large number of figurines of female deities. Due to the lack of information about the Dravidians, it is unknown what impact they had on Hinduism. The Aryans migrated to India and took control of the Dravidians. It was the Aryans who had a series of oral collections called Vedas. Hinduism uses the Vedas as the foundation of religion and they are called books of knowledge. Hinduism has adopted many of the Vedic traditions and made modifications such as meditation as opposed to drugs when searching for hidden truth. The Vedic phase of Hinduism “affirms the world, accepting the physical aspects of the world as good and appropriate.” (VanVoorst, 2012) The Upanishad period lasted from 600 to 400 BC During this phase of Hinduism followers embark on a journey to knowledge so profound and sacred that, if realized, the follower will have eternal freedom from this realm of appearance ... middle of paper... a fixed idea but a way of life. Hinduism does not recognize any prophet or founder but a creator Brahma. The whole goal of Hinduism is to merge the personal soul with Brahma through meditation and the ability to shed good and bad Karma. Followers of Hinduism have the right to choose the God or Goddess they wish to worship. Often the God chosen is due to personal needs. Bibliography Hindu rituals and practices. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2014, from Religion Facts: http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/practices.htmHinduism. (2014). Retrieved April 21, 2014, from Spiritual Journeys: http://www.spiritualjourneys.net/hinduism.htmNarayanan, V. (2013, December 24). Hinduism. Retrieved April 20, 2014, from Encyclopedia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/266312/Hinduism/261609/PracticeVanVoorst, R. E. (2012). RELG.world Student Edition. Cengage Learning.