Hinduism was the first major religion to develop in South Asia. Along with this, there was a strict caste system and a clear social hierarchy. Hinduism emphasized the importance of karma and that people purify their lives through numerous reincarnations to achieve holy perfection. Buddhism later developed in India and incorporated many of the same cultural and religious practices. A key change was the religion's relaxation of social status, as it did not consider a person's place in the caste system as a factor in gaining access to the afterlife. In response to the decline of Hinduism, particularly among the poorer classes, Hinduism became more tolerant of these classes and also developed alternative paths of devotion. In summary, South Asian religion has taken a trend