During this period important changes occurred in the Hindu religion. The Hindus started worshiping new deities. The construction of temples by royalty, and the growing importance of Brahmanas, the priests were other developments of this period. One of the major developments of this period was the emergence of the idea of bhakti—of a loving, personal deity that devotees could reach without the end of priests or elaborate rituals. This was also the period when new religions appeared in the subcontinent. Muslims regard the Quran as their holy book and accept the sovereignty of the one God, Allah. Like Hinduism, Islam was interpreted in a variety of ways by its followers.  

Major Religious Developments during this Period

During this period, there were several major religious developments that had a significant impact on society and shaped the religious landscape. These developments can be categorized into the following key points:

The Rise of Islam:
- The 7th century witnessed the emergence and rapid spread of Islam, a monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the Arabian Peninsula.
- Islam expanded through military conquests, trade, and missionary activities, establishing a vast Islamic empire that stretched from Spain to India.
- The religion brought about significant cultural, political, and social changes in the regions it dominated, promoting Islamic teachings, practices, and values.

The Protestant Reformation:
- In the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther challenged the authority and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
- The movement called for a return to the fundamentals of Christianity, emphasizing individual faith, biblical authority, and salvation by grace alone.
- The Reformation resulted in the establishment of numerous Protestant denominations, breaking the religious unity of Western Christianity and leading to religious conflicts and wars.

Religious Tolerance and Pluralism:
- The period also saw the rise of religious tolerance and pluralism, with some societies embracing diversity and allowing for the coexistence of multiple religious beliefs and practices.
- This was particularly evident in regions such as the Ottoman Empire, where non-Muslim communities were granted a degree of religious autonomy and protection.

Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment:
- The Scientific Revolution, starting in the 16th century, challenged traditional religious beliefs and promoted a more rational and empirical understanding of the world.
- Scientific discoveries and advancements in fields such as astronomy, physics, and biology challenged religious dogma and provided alternative explanations for natural phenomena.
- The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasized reason, skepticism, and secularism, promoting a more critical and secular approach to religion.

Religious Revivalism:
- The period also witnessed various religious revivalist movements, aimed at revitalizing and reasserting traditional religious beliefs and practices.
- Examples include the Great Awakening in 18th-century colonial America, which emphasized personal conversion and religious enthusiasm, and the Hindu revivalism movements in India during the 19th century, which sought to rejuvenate Hindu traditions.

Overall, this period saw a multitude of religious developments, ranging from the rise of new religions like Islam, to the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation and the Scientific Revolution. These shifts in religious thought and practice had profound consequences for societies, influencing culture, politics, and individual beliefs.