Chapter 15: India and the Indian Ocean Basin Flashcards

A complete collection of question-and-answer flashcards covering political structures, trade, social systems, religious developments, and southeast Asian influence in medieval India.

Which ruler temporarily restored unified rule in northern India between 606 and 648 C.E.?

Harsha

Which group conquered the Sind region in northern India before passing control to the Abbasids?

Arab Muslims

Who was the Turkish leader in Afghanistan who mounted frequent expeditions into northern India during the tenth century?

Mahmud of Ghazni

What Islamic state was established in northern India in 1206 C.E. and lasted until 1526 C.E.?

The sultanate of Delhi

Which kingdom ruled the Coromandel coast from 850 to 1267 C.E. and conquered Ceylon and parts of southeast Asia at its peak?

The Chola kingdom

How was the kingdom of Vijayanagar established in 1336 C.E.?

It was established by two Indian brothers who renounced Islam in 1336 and returned to their Hindu faith.

How did the population of India grow between 600 C.E. and 1500 C.E.?

It grew from 53 million in 600 C.E. to 105 million in 1500 C.E.

What roles did Hindu temples play in the society and economy of southern India?

They served as economic and social centers, held large tracts of land, employed hundreds of people, maintained order, collected taxes, and functioned as banks and business ventures.

What were the two primary types of large ships involved in maritime trade across the Indian Ocean basin?

Dhows and junks

What Christian empire centered in Ethiopia controlled Adulis, the most prominent port on the Red Sea?

The kingdom of Axum

How did the philosophies of Shankara and Ramanuja differ regarding Hinduism?

Shankara (ninth century) emphasized disciplined logical reasoning, while Ramanuja (eleventh and twelfth centuries) taught that devotion was more important than understanding ultimate reality.

Who was Guru Kabir, and what did he teach as part of the bhakti movement?

Guru Kabir (1440-1518) was an important bhakti teacher who taught that Shiva, Vishnu, and Allah were all one single deity.

Which state located along the lower reaches of the Mekong River was the first to gain enormous wealth from trade and adopted Sanskrit as its official language?

Funan

Where was the kingdom of Srivijaya (670-1025 C.E.) established, and how did it maintain maritime trade between China and India?

It was established on Sumatra and used its navy to maintain sea trade between China and India.

What caused the Khmers to abandon their capital city of Angkor in 1431 C.E.?

An invasion by the Thais.

Which prominent Islamic state gained significant power in southeast Asia during the fifteenth century?

Melaka