Short answers, pulled from the story.
Hindu mythology is a living history that defines the reality of millions of people today rather than a collection of fictional stories. Unlike Western traditions where the word myth often implies falsehood, Hindu narratives are treated as sacred truths that explain the origin of the universe and the moral order of existence.
The Indus Valley Civilisation flourished between 2600 and 1900 BCE and left behind artifacts that hint at beliefs still practiced today. Archaeological finds reveal motifs such as mother goddesses, nature spirits, and snake worship that were revered by the ruling elite of that ancient society.
The Vedas were composed around 1500 BCE and marked a pivotal shift in the spiritual history of the Indian subcontinent. This period introduced a pantheon of deities that included Indra the chief god of thunder and rain and Agni the god of fire who served as the messenger between humans and gods.
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana were compiled between 400 BCE and 400 CE and became the central pillars of Hindu mythology. The Mahabharata contained two appendices that would become extremely important sources for later mythological development: the Bhagavad Gita and the Harivamsa.
The Puranas were composed between 300 and 1800 CE and marked the rise of sectarianism with followers amassing around the cults of Vishnu Shiva or Devi. These stories introduced a complex pantheon of deities including the Trimurti of Brahma Vishnu and Shiva and their consorts the Tridevi.
During the Tantric period from 900 to 1600 CE the mythology of Tantra and Shaktism revived and enriched blood sacrifice and the pursuit of pleasure as central themes. This period saw the integration of elements from Buddhism and Jainism such as temples indoor shrines and rituals modeled after service to a divine king.