India

Question 0

Match the years to the Historical events

a. Aryan Invasion of India 1. 535
b. Vedic Age 2. 269-232
c. Epic Age 3. 322-298
d. Reign of Changdragupta 4. 1000-600
e. Reign of Ashoka 5. 1500-1000
f. Fall of Gupta-Invasion of Hun 6. 1600 bce

Answer 0

a. Aryan Invasion of India 6.
b. Vedic Age 5.
c. Epic Age 4.
d. Reign of Changdragupta 3.
e. Reign of Ashoka 2.
f. Fall of Gupta-Invasion of Hun 1.

Question 1

Who established the first empire on the Indian subcontinent ?

Answer 1

Changdragupta

Question 2

The civilizatioin that followed the Aryans has a cultural rivalry betweenn Hindu __________ and Buddhist ___________ .

Answer 2

Brahmans and Monks

Question 3

The ______ mountains separate India from East Asia.

Answer 3

Himalayan

Question 4

What links India to the Mid-East ?

Answer 4

Khyber Pass aka Northwest Passage.

Question 5

Economic activity in the North revolves around _________

Answer 5

Herding-pastoralist

Question 6

Economic activity in the South revolves around _________

Answer 6

Trading and Seafaring-Maritime

Question 7

Which two rivers in India spawned early civilizations ?

Answer 7

Ganges W/E “Holy River”

Indus N/S

Question 8

What is the Monsoon ?

Answer 8

Seasonal winds crossing India and Asia during summer

It brings torrential rains during the summer.

Question 9

What happened in the Vedic Age ?

Answer 9

1500-1000 bce

Aryan migrants use iron tools to clear vegetation
Agriculture expands from Indus into Ganges River Valley
Vedas composed (1200-700 bce)

Question 10

What are the Vedas ?

Answer 10

Aryan Hymns–conveyed knowledge

Question 11

Describe the Epic Age

Answer 11

1000-600 bce
3 Epics composed:
Rig Veda (1028 Hymns for Aryan Gods)
Mahabarrata (Greatest Epic Poem)
Ramayana (Reflects growth in agricultural society and political units), i.e. literature reflecting society

Question 12

What was Sanskrit ?

Answer 12

The sacred and classical Indian language.

Question 13

Describe Aryan caste system

Answer 13

Brahmans (priests)
Kshatriyas (warriors)
Vaisyas (Traders/merchants)
Sudras (Unskilled workers)
Untouchables (outcasts)

Question 14

What does Rig Veda say about caste system ?

Answer 14

It attributes caste system to the Gods

Brahman was his mouth, of his arms was made the warrior-His thighs became the vasiya, of his feet were born the sudra

Question 15

What do you believe the excerpt from the Rig Veda says about the Aryan views on society ?

Answer 15

It shows that God mandated a societal system that benefitted the few at the cost of the many….also that you should accept your place in society because God created the caste system

Question 16

During the Epic Age, Brahmans replaced warriors at the top of the social class
T or F

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Alexander the Great invaded Northwest India in ________ and established a border state called ______

Answer 17

327-325

Bactria

Question 18

Who controlled India prior to the invasion of Alexander ?

Answer 18

No one person controlled; many major states

Question 19

In 322 bce, Chandragupta Maruya seized control of _______

Answer 19

Ganges River Valley

Question 20

What is the chief political advisor of Chandragupta Maurya ?

Answer 20

Kautilya

Question 21

What was a special feature of Chandragupta’s military ?

Answer 21

Chariots and elephant borne soldiers

Question 22

What are some major features of Chandragupta’s reign ?

Answer 22

Began Maurya Dynasty
First to unify much of indian sub continent
Likely borrowed political system from Alexander/Persians
Created substantial bureaucracy and postal system

Question 23

Why did Chandragupta emphasize security

Answer 23

People were plotting against him

Question 24

Who was Ahoka “The Great” ?

Answer 24

He ws Chadragupta’s grandon and ruled from 269-232

Question 25

How does Ashoka the Great change India’s cultural landscape ?

Answer 25

Converted to Buddhism, While still honoring hinduism

Question 26

How did Ahsoka improve the infrastructure /

Answer 26

Created Roads, wells and rest sops for travelers

Question 27

The Maryuan dynasty fell to the

Answer 27

Kushans

Question 28

How did the coversion of the Kushan King hurt Buddhism in India ?

Answer 28

It associated the religion with foreign rule

Question 29

The Kushan state collapsed by 220 CE and brought 100 years of political instability True or False

Answer 29

True

Question 30

How did the Gupta Kings unify India while avoiding warfare ?

Answer 30

They preferred to negotiate with Princes instead of fighting them

Question 31

The gupta dynasty was overturned by the invasion of the _____ in 535 ce

Answer 31

Huns

Question 32

What purpose did the untouchables serve to the rest of society ?

Answer 32

Constant reminder that their lives could be a lot worse

Question 33

What is the inherent defect in the Kshatriya class ?

Answer 33

That is you train an entire class to be warriors, they will wnt to use their skills

Question 34

What was the name of territory where Chandragupta seized control ?

Answer 34

Kingdom of Magadha in the Ganges Valley

Question 35

Whre did Chadragupta establish his capital ?

Answer 35

Pataliputra

Question 36

What is the Arthashastra ?

Answer 36

A volume of political theory codified around 420 bce. attributed to ideas originated by kings primary adviosr, Kautilya

Question 37

What 3 features form the structure of Mauryan Empire ?

Answer 37

Central government, Strong army and secret police force