Ancient India Vocabulary

Social Studies

Caste

A class, or group, in Hindu society 

Dharma

A belief found in Hinduism and other Indian traditions that a person has a duty or obligation to live an honorable life

Karma

A belief found in Hinduism and other Indian traditions that the good and evil done in a past life determines the nature of that person’s next life

Reincarnation

The belief that a person’s soul is reborn into a new body after death

Sanskrit

An ancient Indian language

Nirvana

An ideal state of happiness and peace

Enlightment

The state of gaining spiritual insight and finding universal truth; the goal of the Buddhist

Four Noble Truths

The four basic doctorines, or principles, of Buddhism

Eightfold Path

A key idea of Buddhism when followers should live their lives according to these eight teachings

Ascetic

A person who gives worldly pleasures

Mohenjodaro

One of the first major settlements in ancient India that became a center of the Indus Valley civilization

Ashoka

The ruler of the Mauryan Empire from about 269 to 232 B.C.E., whose  edicts reflected Buddhist values

Edict

A command that is obeyed like a law

Golden Age

A period of greatness. Prosperity and achievement

Monsoon

A strong wind that brings heavy rain to southern Asia in the summer