South and Southeast Asia: Vocab Flashcards
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.
Hinduism
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.
Caste System
An Indian philosophy based on the teachings of Prince Gautama Buddha; teachings include separating oneself from worldly concerns
Buddhism
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.
Islam
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.
Indian Ocean Trade
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.
Monsoon Winds
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.
Jizya
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.
Bhakti Movement
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
Sikhism
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.
Sulh-I kul
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.
Urdu
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.
Diasporic Communities
Maluku Islands in Indonesia, which are famous for their production of spices, including nutmeg and cloves.
“Spice Islands”
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.
Vasco de Gama
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.
British East India Co
