Unit 4 (Ancient India) Flashcards
Aryans
a group of nomadic people of Eurasian ancestry who invaded civilizations in the Indus River Valley around 1500 BCE and combined their own cultures and traditions with those of the people living there
Caste System
the social class system that divided ancient India’s social groups (Brahman at the top, then Kshatryia, then Vaisha, then Shudra at the bottom)
Citadel
structure built for citizens to go for safety in the case of an attack
Empire
a political unit or large geographic area that is ruled under a unified authority such as an emperor or king
Ganges River
river in India rising in the Himalayas and flowing generally east to the Bay of Bengal
Harappa
an ancient city whose remains have been found in the Indus River Valley; lasted about 2500-1500 BCE
Himalayas
Mountain range in Asia, extending east through Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, and Bhutan
Hinduism
the oldest and most widely practiced religion and cultural tradition in India
Indian Subcontinent
a geographic region that makes up most of South Asia and is separated from the rest of Asia by mountains and ocean; includes countries of Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
Indus River
river in south-central Asia beginning in southwest Xizang (Tibet) and flowing northwest through
northern India and southwest through Pakistan to the Arabian Sea
Mohenjo-Daro
an ancient city whose remains have been found in Indus River Valley; lasted about 3000-1500 BCE
Reincarnation
belief in the Hindu religion that the soul reappears after death in another and different bodily form
Surplus
an excess of something, or an amount remaining once the demand for the item has been met
Vedas
four ancient sacred books of Hinduism, consisting of hymns, chants, and sacred formulas
