Ancient India

Question 1

Indo-Aryan Migration Theory

Answer 1

theory that civilization started from migrations from outside groups

Question 2

Written language of India

Answer 2

Sanskrit

Question 3

What were Indians like?

Answer 3

Nomads, told stories, had warrior-culture

Question 4

What did Aryans bring to India? Include brief definitions

Answer 4

Caste system (social hierarchy) and Hinduism (most practiced religion in India)

Question 5

Indus River Valley (name the people and river located on)

Answer 5

Harappans (people), located on the Indus River

Question 6

Indo-Aryan Civilization (name the people and river located on)

Answer 6

Aryans (people), located on the Ganges River in Northeast India

Question 7

What are the four religions practiced in India?

Answer 7

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism

Question 8

Jainism

Answer 8

Nontheistic, created due to teachings of a sage named Mahavira, follows a set of 5 vows, don’t agree with violence

Question 9

Sikhism

Answer 9

Monotheistic, founded by a man named Guru Nanak, beliefs are known as the Three Pillars

Question 10

Indus Valley Civilization

Answer 10

First period of India (information known from previous unit)

Question 11

Vedic Period

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Mauryan Empire

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Asoka

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Gupta Empire

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What was Ancient India’s economy based on?

Answer 15

Farming (they grew cotton, wheat, barley, etc.)

Question 16

What was a common exchange method in India?

Answer 16

Trade (common in Mohenjo-Daro)

Question 17

What was the currency under Mauryan rule?

Answer 17

Silver and copper coins

Question 18

What was the original form of social hierarchy? (hint: less strict) Explain

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Reincarnation

Answer 19

A living being takes a new life in a different physical form after death

Question 20

What was the more recent form of social hierarchy in India? (hint: more strict)

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Explain the fifth group added to the caste system.

Answer 21

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.