1. Continuity and Change in Religious India
Religion in India has been present for almost 3000 years. Although many
centuries have passed since the start of religious beliefs in India, many of these
traditional practices continue to be performed and followed. From 650 BCE to present
times, India’s religious practices shifted from non acceptance of other religions to
coexisting with different faiths as shown through British colonization and the introduction
of Islam through Mongols although the social structure in Hinduism still remains in India
today.
Before the first religions were introduced to India, Hinduism was the only faith
accepted by the natives. When British colonists migrated into North-Eastern and
Southern India, they brought their religion of Christianity along with them. Since
Christianity was first introduced into India, Hindus strangely lived in peace with the
foreign Christians. The two religions have happily been able to live together without
many disagreements. In present-day India, Christianity is the third largest religion in the
country. 3000 years ago, you would never see another religion besides Hinduism with
as many followers as the 24 million that Christianity has. Before the migration of the
British colonists, the native Hindus were not as accepting of other religions occupying
their territory.

2. Therefore; when the Mongols took over control of India, the religion of Islam spread
throughout India. The Quran’s teachings were enough for the religion to become the
second most followed religion after Hinduism in India. Similar to Christianity, Islam was
accepted by the people of India which would not have been common before these two
religions migrated into the area.
One of the clearest and most obvious continuities in India is the social structure.
Hindus follow the Caste System which basically divides up the social classes in society
with the highest caste being the priests and the lowest class being the peasants. The
Caste System first came into play when Hinduism was introduced into India in 650 BCE.
Over time, the Caste System is still to this day practiced by the Hindu followers all
across India. Many might believe that because the Caste System was outlawed in 1949
that it is no longer in effect. Actually, the Caste System is still practiced secretly and
heavily by the followers of Hinduism. The Caste System has remained important to
Indian society because of the way it divided up the people into social classes. One’s
dharma and karma continue to play a major role in the social stand point of India as
well. “Dharma” means one’s duty or role in life and it related directly to the Caste
System. Members of the pyramid are expected to perform their dharma well in hopes of
receiving good karma. Also, the practice of pacifism or non-violence is seen throughout
India. The Hindus, Jainists, and other religious followers believe in peace between each

3. be constantly changing or remaining constant, but no one can predict which practices
will truly be the same forever.