Hinduism is better known as Brahmanism, since the word `Hindu' is of Islamicate Persian origin. There were essentially 2 types of faith in ancient India. Firstly, those which accepted the Vedas and superiority of the Brahmin caste (these are referred to as `astika' or orthodox) and consist of 6 schools. These are collectively referred to in ancient inscriptions as `Brahmana', which is rendered as `Brahmanism'. This category includes Vaishnavas, Vedists (`vaidikas'), Vedantists, etc. Then those who opposed casteism and the Vedas; these are referred to as `Sramana' or `nasika' (heretic). This last category includes Buddhists, Jains, Shaivas, Tantrics, Atheists (Carvaks), etc. During the course of history, the `nastikas' have been almost wholly exterminated from India by systematic persecution at the hands of Brahmanists.
