Ancient India Flashcards
Indo-Aryan Migration Theory
theory that civilization started from migrations from outside groups
Written language of India
Sanskrit
What were Indians like?
Nomads, told stories, had warrior-culture
What did Aryans bring to India? Include brief definitions
Caste system (social hierarchy) and Hinduism (most practiced religion in India)
Indus River Valley (name the people and river located on)
Harappans (people), located on the Indus River
Indo-Aryan Civilization (name the people and river located on)
Aryans (people), located on the Ganges River in Northeast India
What are the four religions practiced in India?
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism
Jainism
Nontheistic, created due to teachings of a sage named Mahavira, follows a set of 5 vows, don’t agree with violence
Sikhism
Monotheistic, founded by a man named Guru Nanak, beliefs are known as the Three Pillars
Indus Valley Civilization
First period of India (information known from previous unit)
Vedic Period
Started when Indo-Aryans migrated into India when Indus Valley was declining. Hinduism grew in popularity, and governments became more centralized. Period ended when the Persians invaded
Mauryan Empire
Chandragupta Maurya founded in 320s BCE, first time one group ruled northern India. Divided into 4 provinces and governed by army of 600,000. Asoka is an important leader of this empire.
Asoka
Chandragupta’s grandson, became emperor of the Mauryan Empire around 270 BCE. Expanded empire over most of India and brought wealth and power, but killed many people. He realized the error of his ways and started Buddhism. After his death in 233 BCE, the empire collapsed
Gupta Empire
Started 500 years after the Mauryan Empire by Chandra Gupta 1. Called the Golden Age of India because the economy was strong. Hinduism became most popular. The empire fell in 500s CE after invasions from the Huns and others
What was Ancient India’s economy based on?
Farming (they grew cotton, wheat, barley, etc.)
What was a common exchange method in India?
Trade (common in Mohenjo-Daro)
What was the currency under Mauryan rule?
Silver and copper coins
What was the original form of social hierarchy? (hint: less strict) Explain
Varnas; came from the Vedas (texts). Stated that people are in one of four groups called varnas. Their purpose was to maintain organization and peace, and the duties assigned must have been completed in order to escape reincarnation.
Reincarnation
A living being takes a new life in a different physical form after death
What was the more recent form of social hierarchy in India? (hint: more strict)
Caste system; made up of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras. Now, people were BORN into their caste. People at the top were more “pure” than at the bottom, and interaction with other castes was limited.
Explain the fifth group added to the caste system.
The fifth group added was the Dalits, and they were at the very bottom. They were forced to do dirty work. They were called “untouchables” because people refused to touch them due to the claim that they were sinful in their previous lives.
