South and Southeast Asia: Vocab

Question 1

A religious and philosophical tradition originating in India and based on a complex body of beliefs and practices that recognize a single divine power. It is the world’s third-largest religion and is marked by a belief in reincarnation, karma, and dharma.

Answer 1

Hinduism

Question 2

A system of social stratification based on a person’s birth into a certain group, which determines their occupation and social status. It divides people into four main categories—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—based on their “varna” or class.

Answer 2

Caste System

Question 3

An Indian philosophy based on the teachings of Prince Gautama Buddha; teachings include separating oneself from worldly concerns

Answer 3

Buddhism

Question 4

A monotheistic religion that was founded in the 7th century by the Prophet Muhammad. It is based on the teachings of the Qur’an and teaches that there is only one God and that Muhammad is his messenger. Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam, which are the declaration of faith, prayers, fasting, charity and pilgrimage.

Answer 4

Islam

Question 5

A network of sea-based trade routes linking the East African coast, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia from the 1st century BCE to the 15th century CE. It was the major channel for the exchange of goods, such as spices, gold, ivory, ceramics, and textiles, between these regions, as well as for the transmission of religious and cultural ideas.

Answer 5

Indian Ocean Trade

Question 6

Seasonal winds that blow from the direction of the ocean to the land in tropical and subtropical regions. They are characterized by a seasonal reversal in wind direction, with a dry season in which winds blow from land to sea, and a wet season in which winds blow from sea to land.

Answer 6

Monsoon Winds

Question 7

A tax that is paid by non-Muslims to the Islamic state. It is meant to be a sign of submission to the Islamic authorities and a form of protection for the non-Muslim community. The amount of tax varies and is usually based on the financial status of the individual.

Answer 7

Jizya

Question 8

A devotional religious movement that originated in medieval India, emphasizing bhakti, or love and devotion to a personal god. It arose as a reaction against the ritualistic, caste-based religious practices of Hinduism, and sought to reform and reinterpret Hinduism through the teachings of saints and mystics. The movement spread across North India and reached its peak in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Answer 8

Bhakti Movement

Question 9

A monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century. It is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak and a succession of nine other gurus. The core beliefs of Sikhism are that there is one God, the teachings of all the gurus should be followed, and social justice should be pursued. Combination of Islam and Hinduism

Answer 9

Sikhism

Question 10

Islamic concept meaning “universal peace” and is a fundamental tenet of Islamic law. It is the idea that all Muslims should strive for peace, justice, and equality and that all people should be treated with respect and dignity.

Answer 10

Sulh-I kul

Question 11

Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in Pakistan and India, and is also the national language of Pakistan. It has a rich literary tradition, with a vast range of vocabulary and many different dialects. Its writing system is based on the Persian-Arabic script.

Answer 11

Urdu

Question 12

groups of people who have moved away from their homeland, either voluntarily or as a result of conflict, and have settled elsewhere in the world. They typically maintain strong ties to their original homeland and culture, often through language, religion, and shared experiences.

Answer 12

Diasporic Communities

Question 13

Maluku Islands in Indonesia, which are famous for their production of spices, including nutmeg and cloves.

Answer 13

“Spice Islands”

Question 14

A Portuguese explorer and navigator who led the first successful voyage from Europe to India by sea, which opened up a new trade route between the two regions and increased Portuguese influence in the Indian Ocean. He had a significant impact on world history and is celebrated as one of the greatest explorers of all time.

Answer 14

Vasco de Gama

Question 15

A private company formed in 1600 to pursue trade with the East Indies. It was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I and was given a monopoly of trade in the East Indies for 150 years. The company played a major role in the colonization of India, and in the establishment of British trade networks throughout Asia.

Answer 15

British East India Co

Question 16

A historical title denoting a powerful landowner or landlord in South Asia. It is a term used in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and is derived from the Persian word zamīndār, meaning “landholder.” The zamindars were responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants of their domain and then remitting them to the central government.

Answer 16

Zamindars

Question 17

A 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple and is considered to be one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. The temple is composed of six square platforms, three circular platforms, and a central dome. It is decorated with over 2,600 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Answer 17

Borobudur

Question 18

A temple complex in Cambodia and is the largest religious monument in the world, as well as one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The temple has become a symbol of Cambodia, and is a source of great national pride.

Answer 18

Angkor Wat

Question 19

A tall, tapering tower in Delhi, India, built in the 12th century to honor the Muslim Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki. It is made of red sandstone and marble, and stands nearly 73 meters (239 feet) high. The tower has five distinct storeys, with a circular balcony on each storey. The tower is topped by a chhatri, or small dome.

Answer 19

Qutb Minar

Question 20

A white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely considered one of the most beautiful and iconic structures in the world.

Answer 20

Taj Mahal

Question 21

a prominent Sikh gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India. It was built by Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru, in the 16th century and serves as the holiest gurdwara of Sikhism.

Answer 21

Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)