India and China - Hon. World History sem. 1 2026

The Indus River valley had unpredictable flooding, strong winds and ….?

monsoons

What were the two major cities of the Indus River Valley?

Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro

How were these cities different from previous civilizations we have studied?

Well-planned grid systems, built with bricks and had extensive plumbing

What were the main crops grown in the Indus Valley?

Wheat, barley, melons, dates

What were the main items traded in the Indus Valley cities?

Cotton cloth, grain, copper, bronze pearls and ivory

Who invaded India from the North (Through the Khyber Pass) and brought the Vedic texts?

Aryans

What were the Vedic texts? Types? Written in?

They were scriptures of Hinduism, including poems, prayers and the Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism, written in Sanskrit.

What were some of the key features and/or structures of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa?

Harappa had irrigation systems and mud brick structures, and Mohenjo-Daro had brick houses/buildings and public baths.

What did your Varnas decide?

Your social class or level

Who were the pariahs? What jobs did they do?

They were outside varnas/untouchables, and they did impure jobs.

Who was Brahman?

big

Name and describe the 3 main aspects (Gods) of Brahman

Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver, Shiva is the destroyer

What is the goal of each Hinduism? To reach …

Moksha

Define the following terms.

Dharma: duty

Karma: how you live in your current life will decide what you will be in the next

Samsura: the reincarnation/rebirth of the soul

Who is the founder of Buddhism?

Siddhartha Gutama

What are the 4 noble truths?

Suffering, the Cause of Suffering, the Cessation of Suffering, the Path to the End of Suffering

What is the 8 fold path?

Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration

Why did Buddhism appeal to Indians?

Did not use the caste system and saw everyone as equal

Buddhism spread throughout Asia with the help of which Indian emperor?

ASoka and Kushan

What are the 2 main types of Buddhism?

Explain how they are similar and different

Mahayana Buddhism - the “great vehicle”, northern Asia Theravada Buddhism - the “way of the elders”, southern Asia Both are trying to reach true enlightenment

What did Ashoka write on the stone pillars he built around his empire?

policies

What are bodhisattvas?

They were at nirvana but stayed on the human world to help others

What is a dynasty?

A ruling family

What were the first 3 dynasties of Ancient China?

Xia, Shang, Zhou