1. Vedic Religion
Period:
- Early Vedic Period: 1500 BCE–1000 BCE
- Later Vedic Period: 1000 BCE–600 BCE
Important Places:
- Sapta Sindhu region (land of seven rivers, including the Saraswati and the Indus).
- Ganga-Yamuna Doab (Later Vedic Period).
2. Upanishadic Movement
Period:
- Around 600 BCE
Important Places:
- Northern India (Kosala, Videha, and Magadha regions).
- Gurukuls (forest hermitages) where Upanishads were studied, such as those in Kuru and Panchala kingdoms.
3. Sramana Movements (6th Century BCE)
A. Jainism
Founder:
- Vardhamana Mahavira (599 BCE–527 BCE)
Important Places:
- Kundagrama (birthplace of Mahavira, modern-day Vaishali, Bihar).
- Pava (modern-day Pawapuri, Bihar, where Mahavira attained Nirvana).
- Mathura, Gujarat, and Karnataka (important centers of Jainism).
B. Buddhism
Founder:
- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) (563 BCE–483 BCE)
Important Places:
- Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha, modern-day Nepal).
- Bodh Gaya (place of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Bihar).
- Sarnath (first sermon, Uttar Pradesh).
- Kushinagar (place of Mahaparinirvana, Uttar Pradesh).
4. Ajivika Sect
Founder:
- Makkhali Gosala
Period:
- Flourished during the 6th Century BCE.
Important Places:
- Magadha (present-day Bihar, stronghold of Ajivikas).
- Mauryan Empire (patronage during Bindusara’s reign).
5. Charvaka (Lokayata) Philosophy
Period:
- Emerged in 6th Century BCE.
Important Places:
- Prominent in ancient urban centers such as Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
6. Bhakti Movement (Early Phase)
Period:
- Pre-Gupta and Gupta Period (300 CE–600 CE).
Important Places:
- Mathura and Vrindavan (associated with Krishna devotion).
- Kashi (Varanasi, major Shaivism center).
- Tamil Nadu (Shaktism and early Bhakti traditions).
7. Minor Religious Sects
A. Ajita Kesakambali
Period:
- Contemporary to Buddha (6th Century BCE).
Important Places:
- Prominent in Kosala and Magadha regions.
B. Sect of Pasupatas
Period:
- Post-Vedic period.
Important Places:
- Kashmir and Gujarat (strongholds of Pasupata Shaivism).
Key Factors Leading to Religious Movements
- Urbanization in Magadha, Kosala, and Avanti (6th Century BCE).
- Economic hubs: Pataliputra (Bihar), Vaishali (Bihar), and Rajgir (Bihar).
