ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the development of Indian philosophy. It is possible to see changes in philosophical thinking occurring in a certain historical sequence. The historical approach is facilitated by adopting a generally agreed-upon classification of periods. The Vedic period stretches from about 1700 BCE to 700 BCE. The Epic period occurred between 800 BCE and 200 CE. The period of the great systems began in the fifth century BCE and continues, through the commentaries, up to the present time. The Commentary period commenced about 300 BCE and continued until about 1700. The Modern period, still in progress, began around 1800, under the influence of Western thought. The Vedic age began when the Sanskrit-speaking peoples began to dominate life and thought in the Indus valley, probably between 1700 and 1500 BCE. The main texts of the Vedic period, during which religious rituals were of paramount importance, are the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.
