Ancient India Flashcards
Q: The Indus people lived south of what great mountain range?
A: Himalayas
Q: What river did the Indus people build their civilization around?
A: Ganges River
Q: What animal was an important symbol for the Indus people?
A: The Bull
Q: About 3,000 years ago, what people captured and burned many Indus cities?
A: Aryans
Q: What religion did the Aryans bring to the Indus civilization?
A: Hindu
Q: Who is the Hindu god of fire?
A: Agni
Q: Who did the Hindus believe created the world, and had four faces that looked to the north, south, east, and west?
A: Brahma
Q: Who is the Hindu god of destruction with a third eye on his forehead?
A: Shiva
Q: Who is the Hindu god who protects the world, called the preserver?
A: Vishnu
Q: Who were the highest class in the Hindu caste system?
A: Priests
Q: Who were the 2nd highest class in the Hindu caste system?
A: Kings and Military Leaders
Q: Who were the 3rd highest class in the Hindu caste system?
A: Traders and Shopkeepers
Q: Who were the 4th highest class in the Hindu caste system?
A: Farmers and Craftsmen
Q: Who were the lowest class in the Hindu caste system?
A: Outcastes
Q: What is the Hindu Festival of Lights called?
A: Diwali
Q: Who is the Hindu Goddess of wealth and good luck who is honored at Diwali?
A: Lakshmi
Q: Why do the people of the Hindu Religion clean their homes at Diwali?
A: They believe Lakshmi values everything clean and tidy.
Q: What river do the Hindus place their carefully prepared fire bowls on?
A: The Ganges River
Q: Why do they place fire bowls on the Ganges River?
A: They hope Lakshmi will see it and grant them good luck.
Q: What are the long dresses that women from India wear?
A: Saris
Q: What is Prince Siddhartha better known as?
A: Buddha
Q: Why was Siddhartha sad when he first left the walls of his palace?
A: He saw people were sick and hungry, and he had never seen suffering before.
Q: At first, Buddha didn’t eat much in solidarity with the poor. Why did he change his mind and start eating more?
A: He realized he had to be strong in order to help people.
Q: Where did Siddhartha get his best ideas from?
A: The Tree of Wisdom
Q: What does the word Buddha mean?
A: Enlightened
Q: In Buddha’s story of the Jataka Tale, why is the rabbit scared?
A: He thinks that the world is breaking apart?
Q: In the Jataka Tale, what do the other animals do when the rabbit tells them that the world is breaking apart?
A: They ran for safety
Q: In the Jataka Tale, what was the real reason that the rabbit got scared?
A: A coconut hit the ground
Q: What is the lesson of Buddha’s Jataka Tale?
A: It’s important to know the facts before you act.
Q: In Buddha’s tale of King Asoka, what did he realize while looking over the land that he conquered?
A: Even though he was victorious in battle, he caused a lot of destruction.
Q: What did the beggar tell King Asoka?
A: He should use his power and wealth to help people.
Q: What animal became a symbol of King Asoka’s great power?
A: The Lion
