Who are Hindus and what are their ways of life?

To start with,Hindu is derived from the Persian pronunciation of the Sanskrit word Sindhu. The Persians using the word "Hindu" for "Sindhu", referred to the people who lived near or across the Sindhu River as "Hindu", and their religion later became known as "Hinduism."

Hinduism has one of the most ethnically diverse body of adherents in the world. For some, it is hard to classify Hinduism as a religion, as the framework, symbols, leaders and books of reference that make up a typical religion are not uniquely identified in the case of Hinduism. Most commonly it can be seen as a "way of life" which gives rise to many civilized forms of religions. Hinduism, its religious doctrines, traditions and observances are very typical and inextricably linked to the culture and demographics of India.

Hindus do not have one prophet or one god or does not subscribe to one dogma. They do not follow one philosophical concept or do not practice one set of religious rites. Infact Hindus follow rites and rituals according to their castes, creeds, langauge and cultures seperately. One Hindu of the somecaste may not follow the rites and rituals of another Hindu of the same caste living in other part. They are seperated by 'Ghotras' which decescrie their family lineage.