Study Guide: Ancient India Flashcards

1
Q

Hinduism

A

A major religion of India, they believed in many gods and goddesses

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2
Q

Ganesha

A

Is one of the most beloved and worshiped gods in Hindu religion, has the head of an elephant

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3
Q

Sanskrit

A

Sanskirt is the writing of the ancient Indian people.

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4
Q

Rajas

A

A prince from ancient India: they fought each other for land and goods.

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5
Q

Aryans

A

Around 1500 B.C., these people settled in India.

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6
Q

Caste

A

The way that people were organized into levels of society.

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7
Q

Caste System

A

Each person was born into a certain into a certain level according to their family’s wealth and status.

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8
Q

Varnas

A

The four major classes in the caste system.

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9
Q

Brahmins

A

Indian priests: the top level in the caste system.

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10
Q

Kshatriyas

A

The warrior level of the caste system.

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11
Q

Vaisyas

A

The commoner class of the caste system
*Merchants and farmers.

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12
Q

Sudras

A

The largest group in the caste system: the peasants

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13
Q

Untouchables

A

The very lowest level in Indian society who were treated very poorly.

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14
Q

Reincarnation

A

The belief that a person’s soul is reborn in a different form after death.

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15
Q

Monsoon

A

The season winds in India’s climate that brings A TON of rain every season.

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16
Q

Karma

A

The idea that a person’s actions determine what their next life will be when they are reborn.

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17
Q

Dharma

A

Divine law that requires people to do their duty. More is expected of the higher caste members.

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18
Q

Buddhism

A

A religion started by Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha); started AFTER Hinduism.

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19
Q

Nirvana

A

The idea of achieving wisdom and being and PEACE inside.

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20
Q

Rank the main groups of the caste system in order of importance (with 1 being the highest and 4 being the lowest): Brahmins, Sudras, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas.

1.
2.
3.
4

A

Rank the main groups of the caste system in order of importance (with 1 being the highest and 4 being the lowest): Brahmins, Sudras, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas.

  1. Brahmins
  2. Kshatriyas
  3. Vaisyas
  4. Sudras
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21
Q

The belief in many gods

A

Polytheism

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22
Q

The duties and laws of each caste that are to be followed

A

Dharma

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23
Q

People who did not belong to a caste and were outcasts of society

A

Untouchables

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24
Q

Ancient India’s most influential language

A

Sanskrit

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25
Q

Seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons

A

Monsoons

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26
Q

A large landmass smaller than a continent

A

Subcontinent

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27
Q

The effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul

A

Karma

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28
Q

The belief that the soul, once a person dies, is reborn again

A

Reincarnation

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29
Q

A division of Indian society into groups that are ranked and based on a person’s birth, wealth or occupation.

A

Caste System

30
Q

A young prince called the “Enlighted One” that started Buddhism, also known as “The Buddha”

A

Siddhartha Gautama

31
Q

Religion based on the teachings of Buddha

A

Buddhism

32
Q

A state of perfect peace

A

Nirvana

33
Q

How were monsoons a blessing and curse to farmers in Ancient India?

A

They were a blessing because they brought water to the crops, but they were a curse because they cause flooding, too.

34
Q

The ancient cities of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and Mohenjo-Daro were very advanced civilizations in ancient times that developed near the Inus River Valley. Each city was well-planned and built in the shadow of a fortress that could easily oversee the city streets. Most houses had indoor ____________ to get rid of waste.

A

The ancient cities of HARAPPA and Mohenjo-Daro were very advanced civilizations in ancient times that developed near the Inus River Valley. Each city was well-planned and built in the shadow of a fortress that could easily oversee the city streets. Most houses had indoor PLUMBING to get rid of waste.

35
Q

The group of people known as the ___________ invented the iron plow to help with farming

A

The group of people known as the ARAPA invented the iron plow to help with farming

36
Q

The Four N______ Truths were the guiding principles of Buddha’s teachings

A

The Four NOBLE Truths were the guiding principles of Buddha’s teachings.

37
Q

The wealthy Indian prince known for starting Buddhism is Siddhartha _______________

A

The wealthy Indian prince known for starting Buddhism is Siddhartha GAUTAMA

38
Q

The mountain range known as the H_________________ are located in India and have the highest peak called Mt. ___________

A

The mountain range known as the HINDALAYAS are located in India and have the highest peak called Mt. EVEREST

39
Q

Which group in the caste system included priests and religious leaders?

A

Brahmins

40
Q

Which group of people were known as outcasts and did not belong to a caste?

A

Untouchables

41
Q

Which caste did the military leaders and warriors belong to?

A

Kshatriya

42
Q

How do you answer a DBQ? (Document Based Questions?)

A

You will need to restate the questions and answer in complete sentences for full credit.

Steps: RRA (RAR) Ra
-Read the article carefully
-Restate the questions
-Answer in complete sentences

43
Q

In Ancient India, why was it important to belong to a caste? Explain your answer.

A

Remember: RA

Possible answer:

In Ancient India, it was important to belong to a caste because…

-jobs
-wealthy
-untouchables

In Ancient India, it was important to belong to a caste because the job you have depends on what you are in the caste system. Sometimes, you are a peasant, and it is unfair.

In Ancient India, it was important to belong to a caste because it depends on what dharmas you have.

In Ancient India, it was important to belong to a caste because, without them, nobody would want to do any work and they would not do it because your caste system depends on what dharma/job you get assigned to.

44
Q

The ______________ were known as the guiding principles of Buddha’s teachings:

A

The FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS were known as the guiding principles of Buddha’s teachings:

45
Q

What was known as the “Book Of Knowledge”?

A

Vedas

46
Q

What mountain range is located near the Ganges River?

A

Himalayas

47
Q

This world religion has a belief in many gods and goddesses

A

Hinduism

48
Q

A large landmass smaller than a continent

A

Subcontinent

49
Q

Mohenjo Daro and Harappa were both ancient cities located in:

A

India

50
Q

Where did the Harappa civilization develop and settle in Ancient India?

A

Indus River Valley

51
Q

Who was considered to be the highest-ranked Aryan social class of the caste system?

A

Brahmins

52
Q

People who did not belong to a caste and were shunned from society

A

Untouchables

53
Q

Seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons

A

Monsoons

54
Q

The duties and laws of each caste that are to be followed

A

Dharma

55
Q

This class consisted mostly of farmers and merchants

A

Vaisyas

56
Q

The belief that the soul, once a person dies, is reborn into another person

A

Reincarnation

57
Q

A state of perfect peace

A

Nirvana

58
Q

A religion based on the teachings of Buddha

A

Buddhism

59
Q

Reincarnation is known as the process of

A

Rebirth

60
Q

The effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul

A

Karma

61
Q

Ancient India’s most influential language

A

Sanskrit

62
Q

A young prince called the “Enlightened One”

A

Siddhartha Gautama

63
Q

The warriors and military leaders of Ancient India were part of the second rank of the caste system known as _________

A

Kshatriyas

64
Q

When was Siddhartha Gautama born?

A

Prince Gautama (Buddha) was born about 553 BCE.

65
Q

Who did Siddhartha Gautama meet? What did that person influence?

A

Siddhartha Gautama met a monk. He was amazed that this monk could find calm and peace in a world filled with such suffering. That day he made a very difficult decision. He decided to leave his wealth, his comfort, his wife, and his newborn son, to become a monk.

66
Q

Where did Siddhartha Gautama live for six years of his life? What did he learn/realize?

A

For six years Prince Gautama traveled throughout India. But the answers he found were not enough. One day, while sitting under a fig tree, an understanding came to him.

67
Q

What are the Four Noble Truths?

A

Life is filled with suffering

  1. Suffering is caused by people’s wants.
  2. Suffering can be ended if people stop wanting things, like more pleasure or more power.
  3. To stop wanting things, people must follow 8 basic laws, called the Eightfold Path.
  4. To stop wanting things, people must follow 8 basic laws, called the Eightfold Path.
68
Q

What are the 8 basic laws in the Eightfold Path?

A

To know the truth

To intend to resist evil

To not say anything to hurt others

To respect life, property, and morality

To work at a job that does not injure others

To try to free one’s mind from evil

To be in control of one’s feelings and thoughts

To practice appropriate forms of concentration

69
Q

What are proverbs?

A

Buddhists everywhere live by Buddha’s teachings, which were written down as proverbs. Here are two of Buddha’s proverbs, from an ancient Buddha text, written in about 100 BCE (Over 2000 years ago!)

As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, even so, the wise are not ruffled by praise or blame.

Hatreds never cease by hatred in this world; by love alone they cease.

This is an ancient law.

70
Q

What was the Eightfold path designed for?

A

The Middle Way:

The Eightfold Path was designed to guide people without making life too strict or too easy. The Middle Way is the name Buddhists call lives guided by the laws of the Eightfold Path.

Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling around India and sharing his message with everyone. He had many followers, who lived according to his Four Noble Truths. Some of his followers became Buddhist monks. They gave up all they owned and depended on other followers and kind-hearted people to give them food. Their message was one of love.

After the Buddha’s death in 483 BCE, Buddhism spread rapidly throughout Southern and Eastern Asia.

71
Q

Is Buddhism a major world religion?

A

Today, Buddhism is a major world religion. There are over 300 million Buddhists in the world.