Vedic religion
noun
- the ancient religion of the Aryan peoples who entered NW India from Persia circa 2000–1200 bc. It was the precursor of Hinduism, and its beliefs and practices are contained in the Vedas.
- Its characteristics included ritual sacrifice to many gods, especially Indra, Varuna, and Agni; social classes (varnas) that formed the basis of the caste system; and the emergence of the priesthood which dominated orthodox Brahmanism from circa 900 bc. Transition to classical Hinduism began in about the 5th century bc