RELIGION                 What is the origin of 'Religion'? In my opinion, in ancient times when human beings could not understand the big natural phenomena, such as, sunrise, sunset, rain, windstorm fire, they imagined that some mysterious and powerful forces are  causing them. Being  awed  by these agents, they developed beliefs in different Gods: Sun God, Moon God, Rain God, Wind God, Fire God, etc.  Fear  of their wrath and  Desire  for their blessings led them to develop rituals of propitiation and worship of these Gods, Thus 'Religion' was born. At first prevailed polytheistic religion (many Gods), also called paganism.                 About 4...

                                                          BEGINNING OF CIVILIZATION                Initially humans lived in nomadic tribal groups, which encroached upon each other  for food and other resources. In essence, law of the jungle or 'might is right ' rule prevailed.  After invention of farming and animal husbandry, human beings began to settle down and  live in settlements in specific area. As each group expanded and developed common  traditions, beliefs and system of law and order, ancient civilizations came into existence in  different parts of the world, at different times of history.                First recognizable civilization seems to have developed in the fertile crescent area  of Mesop...

                                                  EARLY HISTORY OF HUMAN SPECIES                Big Bang Theory posits beginning of physical universe about 14 billion years ago.  Our earth seems to have come into existence about 4 billion years ago. After bacteria and  viruses, living creatures in simple forms appeared. Evolving from other animal specie, human  species (Homo Sapiens Sapiens) came into existence on the earth only about one hundred to  two hundred thousand years ago. Its geographical origin seems to be in some region of Africa.  From there human beings spread into different parts of the earth. Geographical and climactic  divisions produced specializations within human beings in terms of skin pigment, hair characteristics,  shape of the skull and the bone structure of the face...

                                                    INDIA: SOME HISTORICAL NOTES  *              Oldest Indian civilization seems to have existed at a time of about 2500 years bc. This is the  Indus Valley civilization confirmed on the basis of discovery of remains of two cities, namely,  Mohen-Jo-Dero and Harappa in the Sindh region of India. This civilization had disappeared by the time  Aryas came to India from North, thru Afghanistan, about 1500 to 2000 years bc. *              Philosophy of Sankhya Upanishad, created during Aryan Vedic period. is based on disbelief  in 'God'. Such philosophy was adopted by Buddha who was born in 538 bc. Mahavira, expounder of  Jain religion was also born around the same period. Buddha and Mahavira were against the practice...