Ancient India Flashcards
How does northern India differ from the rest of the region?
Northern India has the Himilaya mountains and a desert. The rest of the region is fertile.
Why is India called a subcontinent?
India is called a subcontinent because it is so large.
Where did Harappan civilization develop?
The Harappan civilization developed in northwestern India and Eastern Pakistan.
What is one reason that scholars do not completely understand some important parts of Harappan society?
Scholars do not completely understand some important parts of Harappan society because they do not understand the language.
How did Harappan artisans and merchants make use of readily available resources?
Harappan artisans and merchants made use of readily available resources like cotton clothing, ivory objects, jewelry, pottery, and high-quality tools for trade and developed a system of weights.
What region was a trading partner for the Harappan civilization?
Mesopotamia was a trading partner for the Harappan civilization.
What route did traders likely use to get to Mesopotamia?
Traders likely used the Persian Gulf route to get to Mesopotamia.
How do historians know about Aryan society?
Historians know about Aryan society because of religious writings called Vedas.
The Vedas were hymns, poems, myths, and rituals passed down and then were written down.
What was the main reason for conflict between the Aryan groups?
The main reason for conflict between the Aryan groups were for resources such as rivers and farmlands.
Demand for water and land grew when the Aryan groups moved to an agricultural society.
What does the Rigveda include?
The Rigveda includes hymns to praise and honor the gods, and guidance on finding the truth.
What role did sacrifice play in Aryan society?
Sacrifice played a vital role in Aryan society, giving chiefs status and closeness with the gods and priests wealth.
Why did strict caste rules develop over time?
Strict caste rules developed over time because communities created rules that decided jobs and positions in the caste system.
Each caste developed their own norms preventing inter-caste meals and marriages.
What is the largest religion in India today?
Hinduism
What is reincarnation?
A Hindu and Buddhist belief that souls are born and reborn many times, each time into a new body.
What is karma?
The effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul.
What are samskaras?
Rites of passage to prepare a person for a certain event or for their next stage in life.
What is Jainism?
An ancient religion that is believed to have existed in India for thousands of years.
Who was Mahavira?
Mahavir was born in 599 BC. He was an Indian prince who gave up his luxuries and taught many people about Jainism.
What does nonviolence (ahimsa) mean?
The avoidance of violent actions.
What is Sikhism?
A monotheistic religion that developed in India in the 1400s.
Who was Guru Nanak?
Guru Nanak lived during the AD 1400s and was a teacher. He traveled and came in contact with religions such as Islam and Hinduism.
What is fasting?
Going without food.
What is meditation?
The focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas.
Who was the Buddha?
Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as The Buddha at age 35.
What is Buddhism?
A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha.
What is nirvana?
A state of perfect peace.
What are missionaries?
People who work to spread their religious beliefs.
What does the term Buddha mean?
The term Buddha means god or Enlightened One.
How did Siddhartha Gautama free his mind and clarify his thinking as he searched for wisdom?
Siddhartha Gautama freed his mind and clarified his thinking as he searched for wisdom by meditating.
How are Buddhist teachings different from Hindu teachings?
Buddhist teachings are different from Hindu teachings because in Buddhist teachings it says that you do not have to follow the Vedas to achieve enlightenment and the Buddha challenged the authority of priests.
According to the Buddha in his Two Lessons, how can one gain the knowledge of the Middle Path?
Someone can gain the knowledge of the Middle Path by following the Eightfold Path.
Why do Buddhists believe that following the Eightfold Path leads to a better life?
Buddhists believe that following the Eightfold Path leads to a better life because that is how to reach nirvana.
Into what lands did Buddhism spread?
Buddhism spread into many lands such as India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, Himalayas, Central Asia, Persia, Syria, Egypt, China, Korea, and Japan.
What role did missionaries play in spreading Buddhism?
Missionaries played a vital role in spreading Buddhism. They sailed all over to places like India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, Himalayas, Central Asia, Persia, Syria, Egypt, China, Korea, and Japan.
How did India’s mountains and surrounding water influence its contact with the outside world?
India’s mountain ranges, primarily the Himalayas, acted as a natural barrier, limiting contact with the outside world, while the surrounding waters of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal facilitated trade routes.
Why did the people of India depend on the summer monsoons?
Farming: Most of ancient India’s economy was based on agriculture, and the monsoon rains were crucial for growing crops like rice and wheat.
Water source: The monsoon rains replenished water sources like rivers and groundwater, providing drinking water for communities.
Predictable cycle: The seasonal nature of the monsoon allowed farmers to plan their planting and harvesting schedules with some certainty.
How do archaeologists know that Mohenjo-Daro was carefully planned?
Because the streets were laid out in a grid-like pattern.
How is Hinduism different from other religions?
It lacks a single founder or holy book, with a strong emphasis on the concept of Dharma (duty) and the cycle of reincarnation.
When the Aryan and Indian cultures blended, which religion was created?
Hinduism
What does the Hindu belief of reincarnation say about faithful believers?
Faithful and strong believers of Hinduism will be born into a higher caste in their next life, eventually working towards achieving ‘moksha’ (freedom from the cycle of rebirth) and escaping the cycle of reincarnation.
What did Buddha say was the cure for human pain and suffering?
The desire for material things that one cannot attain.
Like many Egyptian pharaohs, what type of ruling philosophy did the Indian emperor Chandragupta believe in?
Absolute Power
Why is Asoka considered one of India’s greatest leaders?
He renounced war and embraced Buddhism, spreading a message of peace and tolerance throughout his empire, promoting religious freedom, and focusing on the welfare of his people, building hospitals, roads, and wells for travelers.
What are two important rivers that start in the Himalayan Mountains?
The Indus and Ganges Rivers
What are winds that bring heavy rainfall called?
Monsoons
What is a division of people in groups based on birth, wealth and occupation called?
The Caste System
What do Hindus believe about death?
Reincarnation
Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya
What is the focusing of the mind on spiritual things called?
Meditation
What are people who work to spread their religious beliefs called?
Missionaries
What is nonviolence in the context of achieving change?
Ahimsa; using only peaceful ways to achieve change.
Who converted to Buddhism while he was ruler of the Mauryan Empire?
Asoka
What is a mixture of metals called?
Alloy
What caused floods on the Indus River, and what was the result?
Melting of heavy snows in the Himalayas; left behind layers of silt, making the land ideal for farming.
How do people use the Ganges River?
They use the river to irrigate their crops, for transportation, and to generate hydroelectric power.
Why is the Harappan culture considered a civilization?
Had well-planned cities with technical advances, a writing system, and division of labor as shown by a wide range of objects created.
What is the Hindu Kush?
A mountain range of northwest India.
What is grama?
A community made up of many family members.
Who were the Brahmins and what role did they play in Vedic society?
Priests; highest class in society.
How do Hindus believe karma affects reincarnation?
Karma determines if you are reborn into a higher or lower caste.
How did Buddhism grow and change after Buddha died?
Missionaries spread Buddhism all across Asia
What was Chandragupta Mauryas’ greatest accomplishment?
seized control of northern India and by so doing founded the Mauryan Empire
How did the Gupta Empire end?
The Hun armies invaded the country
In which language did mauryan and Gupta authors write in?
Sanskrit
