Eastern River Valley Civilizations vocab

vocab for unit 3 of world history

1. Dynastic Cycle

1.    The pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties in Chinese history.

1. Mandate of Heaven

1.   A belief that a ruler's authority comes from divine approval, justifying the overthrow of corrupt leaders.

1. Dynasty

1. A series of rulers from the same family or lineage.

1. Ancestor Veneration

1. The practice of honoring and worshiping ancestors as important figures in one's family and culture.

1. Filial Piety

1.  The respect and obedience that children owe to their parents and ancestors, central to Confucianism.

1. Oracle Bones

1.   Shell or bone used in ancient China for divination, inscribed with questions and answers from deities.

1. Calligraphy

1. The art of decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering, often considered a visual art form.

2. 
   

1. Monsoons

1. Seasonal winds in South Asia that bring heavy rainfall, significantly impacting agriculture and climate.

1. Subcontinent

1.   A large landmass smaller than a continent, such as the Indian subcontinent.

1. Urban Planning

1. The design and regulation of the use of space in urban areas to create efficient and organized environments.

1. Aryan ("Ancient India")

1.  The nomadic peoples who migrated to the Indian subcontinent, influencing its culture and language.

1. The Vedas

1. A large body of religious texts originating in ancient India, forming the foundation of Hinduism.

1. Sanskrit

1.  An ancient Indo-European language of India, associated with Hindu scriptures and classical literature.

1. Caste System

1.  A hierarchical social structure in India, dividing society into different classes based on occupation and social status.

1. Jatis

1.  Sub-categories within the Indian caste system, often associated with specific occupations and communities.

1. Dharma

1.  A set of moral and ethical duties and responsibilities that individuals are expected to follow in their lives.

1. Karma

1.  The law of cause and effect, where a person's actions influence their future lives or experiences.

1. Reincarnation

1. The belief in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, where an individual's soul is reborn into a new body after death.