al practices, which have their origins in the Indus Valley Civilization which dominated the region from
2600 BC to 1900 BC, have survived numerous invasions by foreign peoples. Around 500 BC the Buddhist king Ashoka conquered a large empire, followed by a succession
of invasions from Central Asia, the Islamic invasions by the Mughal dynasty, and finally the colonization of the disorganized patch-work of small kingdoms and warlords
by the British starting in the early 19th century.
Due to these factors it is obviously impossible to definitively describe the effect of Hinduism on present-day India, because one must always preface any generalizations
by asking which aspect of Hinduism, and what population, caste, class, or ethnic group are being referred to. But nonetheless some generalizations can be made with
For example, it is possible to state that Hinduism continues to have an enormous effect on contemporary India, religiously, politically, and culturally, in spite
of the globalized veneer on the corporate facade that is increasingly making its appearance in the central cities and upscale suburbs of the country. While
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