One of the largest and oldest sects of Hinduism, with Shiva and his consort Shakti as the supreme deities — the latter considered primary in Shakta cults. Shaivism can be traced to prehistoric South Asian fertility cults and possibly the Indus Valley Civilization. Its early forms likely emerged between 200 BCE and 100 CE, when Shiva became a deity in Brahmanism with the latter’s assimilation of non-Vedic cults. By the fourth century CE, four important Shaivite sects had emerged: the Pashupata, Lakulisa, Shaiva and Kapalika. Sects of Shaivism have diverse philosophies and practices: while elite forms have enjoyed royal patronage, other more radical sects emphasise asceticism, transgression and rejection of mainstream society — aspects that have generally been important in Shaivism, which has also been closely associated with the heterodox schools of Tantra. Kashmir, Nepal and southern India have been important centres of Shaivite worship and development since its emergence.