Differs depending on school , for eg Nyaya , dvaita , Advaitha, Kashmir shaivism all follow a bit different scricpyurrs but all follow Vedas as base , just interpretations may differ
Are they linked with each other (like greek mythology gods, where there is a hierarchy) or are they independent?
How/ why ?
gods w small g are temporary and can be likened to minor gods in Greek pantheon but a additional clause that they can fall back into human realm or go even higher and attain liberation . Gods with capital G are representation of one true essence that created the world , these include Shiva Brahma Vishnu Shakthi
Hinduism isn't really a religion it's just a bunch of related religions that are given an umbrella term by politicians to win votes. There are different sects and different local tribal gods in Hinduism too that is why you often see some people referring to the the Hinduism they follow as santana dharma to not be associated with the aspects of religion that they don't ascribe to. Modern day hindus are just a bastardized mixture of all these sects and don't follow any faith properly. Most of them are time pass hindus who like the idea of following an ingenious religion opposing Islam
so gods with a small g would be some kind of advanced form of life, between man and God ?
Indigenous? It started in Punjab… that only accounts for 2% of the population and they are mostly Islamic and Sikhs these days.
Would you consider them to be further apart from each other than lets say different sects of christianity or islam ?
Yes like Asvins , and some humans who attained godhood through right deeds
Indus Valley Civilization=/= Punjabis.
No they are related religions but they have different gods, customs and traditions. Hinduism has 3 central gods Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma the rest of the million gods are just the avatars of these three that get worshipped by different names and they have different stories and manifestations depending on the locations. They differ in that sense. Many tribal communities also worship the great leaders that were born in those communities who made significant contributions because they consider their leaders to be the avatars of those gods.
It was mostly in Pakistan, though. And most of Punjab is in Pakistan.
