Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions, with origins dating back over 4,000 years. It originated near the Indus River in India, and its roots can be traced to the ancient Vedic culture and the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 3500 BCE
. The earliest Hindu texts, the Vedas, were composed around 1500 BCE, but they embody an older oral tradition that likely goes back even further, making about 1800 BCE a reasonable estimate for the formal beginning of Hinduism as a religious tradition
. Some traditional Indian sources and scholars suggest Hinduism could be as old as 5,000 years or more, considering its connection to the Vedic heritage and prehistoric cultural practices
. Hinduism has evolved significantly over millennia, encompassing a wide variety of beliefs, practices, and sects. The religion as it is known today developed through various historical phases, including the Vedic period, the composition of epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and later medieval developments
. In summary, Hinduism is at least 4,000 years old, possibly older depending on definitions and interpretations, making it arguably the oldest living major religion still practiced today
