The word Hindu is derived from the name given to the people who settled on the banks of the river Sindhu (Indus in northern India). The name was changed to Hindu over the course of time, and so their system of beliefs was given the name Hinduism. Hinduism is regarded as the most ancient living world religion, being over 5,000 years old. It originated on the subcontinent of India but its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was not based upon or started by any one single individual, and its origins cannot be traced back to any particular historical period. 
Hinduism is regarded as a way of life, not just a religion. It leaves itself open to different interpretations and views which have led to the diverse cultural groups of Hindus that can be found around the world.
Hinduism has an enormous collection of texts as its basis which were conceived many thousands of years ago in the Sanskrit language - the root of all modern Indian languages. These scriptures which were compiled by various rishis (sages): and contain systematic explanations on various subjects including science, religion, metaphysics (first principles) philosophy and spiritual knowledge. They are divided into two main categories: Shruti (that which is heard) and Smriti (that which is remembered).
The Shrutis: These deal with the never-changing, eternal principles of Hinduism. Shrutis consist of the Vedas, which are the root of the Hindu religion and are the oldest books in the world.
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There are four Vedas:
The Smritis These explain the practical applications of the eternal principles described in the Shrutis. They detail social and moral codes in the 18 Smritis, the most famous of which was written by Manu which explains the four stages of life and the division of labor through a class system. Manu was a great rishi (master), who lived in an era preceding that of the Ramayana and Mahabharata as there are references to Manu in these scriptures.
CONCEPTS:
Hinduism is polytheistic (worship many gods). However God in Hinduism is thought of as Brahman - the Absolute. This is to say a being without form who pervades everything, is present everywhere, is omnipotent, omniscient, and transcends time and space. This is the Nirguna (attributeless) Brahman. There is another aspect of God; and this is Saguna (with attributes) Brahman. Life is a long journey back to the creator, 'interrupted' by death for the person's own good, to continue the journey in another body. This concept of rebirth is explained simply by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita as follows: 'As a man leaves an old garment and puts on one that is new, the spirit leaves his mortal body and then puts on one that is new.' The law of karma is the concept that 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' Therefore action and reaction (on a physical, mental and spiritual level) are equal and opposite. Karma is what a person does, thinks and even does not do. The results of one's actions in one life can also be carried over to the next, which can affect one's 'fortunes' (fate: kismet) depending on their past actions in the previous incarnation.
Moksha is the goal of life for all Hindus. Moksha means total freedom from all pain and suffering. It is the mind which is said to be the cause of suffering, or freedom from suffering. If a state of mind is reached when one is able to transcend the pains and the pleasures of life, when one's will merges with the will of God, then that person has attained Moksha and is free from the cycle of births and deaths. This joining oneself with God is called yoga. This science of yoga, consisting of different paths, has been beautifully explained in the Bhagavad Gita: Krishna says "Yogah Karmashu Kaushalam", meaning devote yourself to yoga-divine union. Skillfulness and excellence in action is yoga; all activities performed with God-consciousness is the supreme yoga.
The subdivisions are as follows:
The Christian Bible says 'In the beginning was the word'. This word is Aum. This sound is the music of the spheres in the galaxy.
This short word is the primal sound and it is said to emanate from the right side of the brain, and pervade down the spine and through the whole body. 
AUM
The seeker tries to chant 'Aum' to perfection for full purification of the mind and subsequent realization. Yogis hear this sound when they are sitting in meditation totally at peace. The Katha Upanishads say 'The Goal which all the austerities aim at and which men desire when they lead a life of continence: IT IS AUM. Nearly all chants or mantras have Aum in front of them. All seekers of truth try to tune in with the cosmic sound of Aum because it is the voice of God.
It is declared in the Vedas to be the only support for reaching up to the Absolute. The many manifestations of God give the different aspects of the Absolute through which He can be reached. 
The Absolute controls the universe through three major qualities, regarded as the Trinity or Trimurti of Hinduism: Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu, the Preserver; and Shiva, the Destroyer.
All three of these are inseparable and operate simultaneously.
The female aspect of God is a fundamental part of Hinduism and the all-compassionate form of the Divine Mother is very dear to all Hindus.
Some of the different female deities are listed here:
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