Indian culture has a rich and storied history that spans over 5,000 years. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest urban civilizations in the world, laid the foundation for Indian culture. The Vedic period, which followed, saw the emergence of Hinduism, one of the world's oldest and largest religions. The ancient texts, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, contain the philosophical and spiritual wisdom of the time, which continues to influence Indian thought and culture.