Aahan Ghandi Method Flashcards

Names, People, Capitals, Cities, Crops

Yang Jian

Founder of the Sui Dynasty who reunified China under centralized imperial rule in 589

Sui Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 589–618 that reunified China and built the Grand Canal

Grand Canal

Waterway linking northern and southern China from Hangzhou to Chang’an to Beijing to promote trade

Sui Yangdi

Second Sui emperor who completed the Grand Canal and ruled 604–618

Tang Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 618–907 established after Sui Yangdi’s assassination

Tang Taizong

Powerful Tang emperor who ruled from 627–649 and strengthened the empire

Equal-field system

Tang land distribution system giving 20% hereditary land and 80% for redistribution to prevent concentration

Uighurs

Nomadic Turkish group who aided Tang against rebels and sacked Chang’an and Luoyang

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 960–1279 known for economic growth and innovation

Song Taizu

Founder and first emperor of the Song Dynasty who ruled 960–976

Hangzhou

Song capital after defeat by the Jurchen nomads

Li Bai

Famous Tang poet known for themes of social life in Chinese cities

Foot-binding

Practice of tightly binding girls’ feet to prevent growth and enhance attractiveness

Wu Zhao

Only female emperor of Tang China who ruled during 626–706

Porcelain

Lightweight durable ceramic that became a major Chinese export

Gunpowder

Chinese invention used for military weapons

Mahayana Buddhism

Form of Buddhism that spread widely in China

Confucianism

Chinese philosophy promoting public order and honest effective government

Dunhuang

Western Chinese city with significant Buddhist population and caves

Chan Buddhism

Chinese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation

Neo-Confucianism

Revival of Confucianism influenced by Buddhist ideas

Zhu Xi

Major Neo-Confucian philosopher who shaped Chinese thought

Nara Period

Era of strong Chinese cultural influence in Japan

Shinto

Indigenous Japanese religion focused on ancestor veneration

Heian Period

Era when Japanese court moved to Heian and Fujiwara family held power

Fujiwara family

Powerful Japanese clan controlling government behind weak emperors

Tale of Genji

Novel by Murasaki Shikibu depicting Heian court life

Shogun

Military governor who ruled Japan in place of emperor

Samurai

Professional Japanese warriors serving provincial lords

Muhammad

Prophet of Islam from Mecca who received revelations and founded Muslim community

Allah

The one true God in Islam

Quran

Holy book of Islam containing Muhammad’s revelations

Hadith

Recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad

Hijra

Muhammad’s migration to Medina in 622 marking start of Islamic calendar

Umma

Community of faithful Muslims bound by religious law

Five Pillars of Islam

Core practices including faith prayer fasting alms and pilgrimage

Caliph

Political and religious successor to Muhammad meaning deputy

Sunni

Majority Islamic sect supporting elected caliphs

Shia

Islamic sect supporting Ali and his descendants as leaders

Jizya

Tax imposed on non-Muslims under Islamic rule

Abbasid Dynasty

Islamic dynasty ruling from Baghdad until Mongol conquest

Ulama

Islamic religious scholars

Qadis

Islamic judges who interpreted and applied law

Harun al-Rashid

Abbasid caliph during peak prosperity 786–809

Sakk

Early Islamic letters of credit similar to checks

Al-Andalus

Muslim-ruled Spain known for prosperity and culture

Ibn Rushd

Muslim philosopher from Cordoba who interpreted Aristotle

Sultanate of Delhi

Islamic state established in northern India in 13th century

Chola Kingdom

South Indian state dominating Indian Ocean trade routes

Vijayanagara

Hindu kingdom founded after break from Delhi Sultanate

Dhows and Junks

Large ships used in Indian Ocean trade

Caste System

Indian social hierarchy organizing work and relationships into jati

Bhakti Movement

Devotional movement seeking unity between Hinduism and Islam

Sufis

Islamic mystics who spread Islam through tolerance and adaptation

Kingdom of Axum

Christian East African kingdom active in Indian Ocean trade

Justinian

Byzantine emperor who codified Roman law and built Hagia Sophia

Caesaropapism

System where ruler controls both state and church

Theme System

Byzantine provinces governed by generals with civil and military power

Charlemagne

Frankish king crowned emperor who strengthened Carolingian Empire

Vikings

Norse seafarers who raided across Europe

Iconoclasm

Byzantine movement opposing religious images

Mali Empire

West African empire founded by Sundiata and expanded through trade

Mansa Musa

Mali ruler famous for wealth and pilgrimage to Mecca

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade network linking West Africa with Mediterranean via camel caravans

Swahili City-States

East African coastal trade cities like Kilwa

Islamic Slave Trade

Trade exporting about 10 million African slaves 750–1500

Investiture Contest

Dispute over whether pope or rulers appoint church officials

William the Conqueror

Norman ruler who invaded England in 1066

Hanseatic League

Northern European trade alliance of cities

Scholasticism

Method reconciling faith and reason led by Thomas Aquinas

Crusades

Military expeditions launched by Pope Urban II in 1095

Saladin

Muslim leader who recaptured Jerusalem in 1187

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler who visited China under Kublai Khan

Bubonic Plague

Deadly 14th-century epidemic killing up to 70% in some regions

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty founded by Hongwu lasting until 1644

Zheng He

Ming admiral who led massive naval expeditions

Renaissance

European movement of artistic and intellectual revival

Humanism

Renaissance focus on classical literature history and moral philosophy

Prince Henry the Navigator

Portuguese leader promoting exploration and expansion

Columbus

Explorer sponsored by Spain who reached Americas in 1492

AAHAN GANDHI METHOD – Rapid Recall Flashcards
Yang Jian

Founder of the Sui Dynasty who reunified China under centralized imperial rule in 589

Sui Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 589–618 that reunified China and built the Grand Canal

Grand Canal

Waterway linking northern and southern China from Hangzhou to Chang’an to Beijing to promote trade

Sui Yangdi

Second Sui emperor who completed the Grand Canal and ruled 604–618

Tang Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 618–907 established after Sui Yangdi’s assassination

Tang Taizong

Powerful Tang emperor who ruled from 627–649 and strengthened the empire

Equal-field system

Tang land distribution system giving 20% hereditary land and 80% for redistribution to prevent concentration

Uighurs

Nomadic Turkish group who aided Tang against rebels and sacked Chang’an and Luoyang

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 960–1279 known for economic growth and innovation

Song Taizu

Founder and first emperor of the Song Dynasty who ruled 960–976

Hangzhou

Song capital after defeat by the Jurchen nomads

Li Bai

Famous Tang poet known for themes of social life in Chinese cities

Foot-binding

Practice of tightly binding girls’ feet to prevent growth and enhance attractiveness

Wu Zhao

Only female emperor of Tang China who ruled during 626–706

Porcelain

Lightweight durable ceramic that became a major Chinese export

Gunpowder

Chinese invention used for military weapons

Mahayana Buddhism

Form of Buddhism that spread widely in China

Confucianism

Chinese philosophy promoting public order and honest effective government

Dunhuang

Western Chinese city with significant Buddhist population and caves

Chan Buddhism

Chinese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation