The following provides a brief timeline of the key dates for Hinduism:  
 
 4000-600 BCE
 2800-2000 BCE
 Indus Valley civilization
 1200 BCE  Aryans migrate into southern Asia.
 1200-900 BCE
 Early Vedic Period - earliest Vedas are compiled.
 900-600 BCE
 Late Vedic period - Brahmanical religion develops, emphasizing ritual and social obligation.
 
 
 600 BCE to 100 CE
 800-300 BCE
 The 11 major Upanishads are written, which include the ideas of reincarnation and karma.
 500 BCE-1000 CE  Epics and Puranas are written, reflecting the rise of devotional movements dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Devi.
 5th cent. BCE
 Buddhism and Jainism founded in India.
 320-185 BCE
 Mauryan Dynasty founded by Chandragupta.
 
 
100 CE to 1200 CE
 320-500 CE
 Gupta empire.
 500-650 CE  Gupta empire divides into several kingdoms.
 600-1600 CE
 Rise of devotional movements, puja (worship) rituals, and idea of equality of devotees.
 7th-11th cent.
 Esoteric movements based on Tantras develop.
 870-1280  Cholas dynasty. Hinduism arises in the south.
 
 
 1200 to 1800 CE
 1498
 European presence in southern Asia begins with the arrival of Vasco de Gama.
 1540s  Portugese missionaries arrive in India.
 17th-19th
 Hindu Renaissance.
 1700
 British East India Company formed.
 1720  Collapse of the Mughal empire; British begin to take power.
   
  
  
 
 
 1800 to 2100 CE
 1857
 National War of Independence against the British is sparked by the British use of cow fat in guns.
 1876  Queen Victoria becomes Empress of India.
 1895
 Vedanta Society founded by Vivekananda. Promotes Hinduism as a world religion and India as a single nation.
 1915
 Gandhi joins the nationalist movement.
 1947  India regains independence, but its partitioning leads to conflicts between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs.
 1948  Assassination of Gandhi.
 1950
 Constitution of the Republic of India.
 

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Timeline