1.3 World History Flashcards
What was the impact of Hindu and Muslim interactions in South Asia?
The mixing of different religions and cultures led to lots of exciting changes in how people thought about religion, politics, money, art, and building design, even though there were sometimes conflicts.
Where was Buddhism notably present in South Asia?
Buddhism was prominent in the Sinhala dynasties and in the great kingdoms of Southeast Asia.
What was the significance of the Gupta Dynasty, and what happened after its collapse?
The Gupta Dynasty marked the end of the Classical Era of Indian history. After its collapse South Asia experienced disunity for nearly 1,000 years.
How did political structures differ between Northern and Southern India?
Northern and Southern India developed separate political structures, with Southern India being more stable compared to the North.
What was the Chola Dynasty, and what was its significance?
The Chola Dynasty was a prominent kingdom in Southern India that ruled for over 400 years (850-1267) and extended its influence to Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) in the 11th century.
How did Hinduism contribute to cultural unity in South Asia despite political disunity?
Hinduism provided cultural unity through shared scriptures and core beliefs, even as political structures were fragmented.
How did local faith traditions interact with broader religious practices in South Asia?
Many people mixed their own local beliefs with the main Hindu writings and ideas that everyone respected in the area.
What does “Vijayanagara” mean?
“the victorious city”
How did political structures in Northern India differ from those in Southern India?
Northern India experienced more upheaval and had many Hindu Rajput kingdoms that were often at war with each other, leading to a lack of centralized government.
How did Islamic invasions impact Northern India in the 8th and 11th centuries?
In the 8th century, Islamic armies invaded Pakistan but made little impact. In the 11th century, they stole from Hindu temples and Buddhist places, which made the local people very angry.
What was the Delhi Sultanate, and how long did it rule?
The Delhi Sultanate was an Islamic empire that ruled Northern India from the early 13th century to the 16th century.
What was one reason some Hindus resented the Delhi Sultanate?
Many Hindus resented the Delhi Sultanate because it imposed a tax called the jizya on all non-Muslims.
What were some challenges faced by the Delhi Sultanate in governing?
The Delhi Sultanate had a hard time ruling well because it didn’t have a good system for managing the government and India was so big and different in many ways.
What were the main religions practiced in South Asia before the arrival of Islam?
Most South Asians practiced Hinduism, while a smaller number followed Buddhism.
How do Hinduism and Islam differ in their beliefs about gods?
Hindus pray to many gods, while Islam believes in only one god (monotheism).
How do Hinduism and Islam differ in their use of images?
Hinduism uses many pictures of gods in temples and artwork, while Islam does not allow any pictures of Allah.
How does Hinduism’s caste system differ from Islam’s view on equality?
Hinduism has a hierarchical caste system, while Islam promotes the equality of all believers.
Why did Buddhism become a minority religion in South Asia?
Corruption among monks and raids on monasteries by early Muslim conquerors left Buddhism disorganized, leading to its decline.
How did Islam’s approach to spreading its religion affect South Asia?
Islam wanted to actively seek converts (proselytize), which shaped regional culture and politics in South Asia.
What was the effect of the arrival of Islam on the basic social structure of South Asia?
The arrival of Islam did little to change the basic social structure in South Asia. The caste system remained the strongest historical continuity, providing stability in a politically decentralized region.
How did the caste system in South Asia adapt to the arrival of Muslim merchants and migrants?
Muslim merchants and migrants found their place within the caste hierarchy based on their occupation. They were absorbed into the social fabric of Indian society through subcastes similar to workers’ guilds.
Why did low-caste Hindus who converted to Islam often fail to improve their social status?
Low-caste Hindus who converted to Islam generally did not improve their social status because they needed more education and better job opportunities, not just a new religion.
How did Islam affect gender relations in South Asia compared to Southeast Asia?
In South Asia, Islam did not significantly change gender relations, and women continued to be confined to a separate social sphere. In Southeast Asia, where women had more independence before Islam, this pattern continued after conversion.
What was one of the key cultural interactions between South Asia and the Middle East?
Arab astronomers and mathematicians built on Indian knowledge, such as algebra and geometry, which spread throughout Dar al-Islam. The numeral system referred to in the West as “Arabic numerals” actually originated in India.
