Hinduism

What role does mythology play in Hinduism?

First of all India has no history. It has only itihas( a hindi word for history but with elaborate meaning ). Itihas consists of history, philosophy, strategy, peace, mythology, religion and much more to be inter-related to each other. The word mythology was created by western influenced people, who had hard time to digest the truth, that the other culture in this world still existed.

Mythology in India has a great connection with Hinduism.
It is a complicated subject to those who see Mother and Child as different. It is part and parcel of the culture. If one needs to understand the Indian mythology they should start reading.