<P> After the Vedic period , between 500 - 200 BCE and c. 300 CE , at the beginning of the `` Epic and Puranic '' c.q. `` Preclassical '' period , the `` Hindu synthesis '' emerged , which incorporated śramaṇic and Buddhist influences and the emerging bhakti tradition into the Brahmanical fold via the smriti literature . This synthesis emerged under the pressure of the success of Buddhism and Jainism . During the Gupta reign the first Puranas were written , which were used to disseminate `` mainstream religious ideology amongst pre-literate and tribal groups undergoing acculturation . '' The resulting Puranic Hinduism differed markedly from the earlier Brahmanism of the Dharmaśāstras and the smritis . Hinduism co-existed for several centuries with Buddhism , to finally gain the upper hand at all levels in the 8th century . </P>
<P> After the Vedic period , between 500 - 200 BCE and c. 300 CE , at the beginning of the `` Epic and Puranic '' c.q. `` Preclassical '' period , the `` Hindu synthesis '' emerged , which incorporated śramaṇic and Buddhist influences and the emerging bhakti tradition into the Brahmanical fold via the smriti literature . This synthesis emerged under the pressure of the success of Buddhism and Jainism . During the Gupta reign the first Puranas were written , which were used to disseminate `` mainstream religious ideology amongst pre-literate and tribal groups undergoing acculturation . '' The resulting Puranic Hinduism differed markedly from the earlier Brahmanism of the Dharmaśāstras and the smritis . Hinduism co-existed for several centuries with Buddhism , to finally gain the upper hand at all levels in the 8th century . </P>
what was the religion in india before hinduism
what was the religion in india before hinduism
Vedic
Vedic