Unit 3 South Asia and Africa Key Terms AP World

monsoon

seasonal wind patterns in the Indian Ocean that enabled trade by allowing predictable sailing schedules

lateen sails

triangular sails that allowed ships to sail against the wind, expanding maritime trade routes

dhow

a traditional Arab sailing vessel with lateen sails, used extensively in the Indian Ocean trade

junk

a large Chinese sailing ship used in long-distance trade across the South China Sea and Indian Ocean

compass

an instrument that uses a magnetic needle to show direction, allowing navigation without landmarks

astrolabe

a tool used by sailors to determine latitude by measuring the angle of the sun and stars

Swahili City-States

a group of East African coastal cities (like Kilwa, Mombasa, and Zanzibar) that thrived on Indian Ocean trade, blending African, Arab, and Islamic cultures

Strait of Malacca

a narrow waterway between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra; a vital chokepoint for trade between the Indian Ocean and East Asia

Khmer Empire

a powerful Southeast Asian empire (c. 802–1431) centered in present-day Cambodia, known for its monumental architecture like Angkor Wat and its Hindu-Buddhist syncretism

Srivijaya Empire

a Hindu maritime empire based in Sumatra (7th–13th centuries) that controlled trade through the Strait of Malacca and promoted Mahayana Buddhism

Majapahit Kingdom

a powerful Buddhist empire in Java (c. 1293–1527) that dominated maritime Southeast Asia

Sultanate of Malacca

a Muslim kingdom founded in the early 15th century in the Strait of Malacca

Sahel

a semi-arid region of Africa located between the Sahara Desert and the savannas to the south; historically a key zone for trade and cultural exchange

Aksum (Axum)

an ancient kingdom located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, known for its trade networks, monumental architecture, and early adoption of Christianity

Bantu

a large group of ethnically related peoples in Africa who share linguistic roots; known for their migrations that spread agriculture, ironworking, and language across sub-Saharan Africa

Zimbabwe

a powerful southern African kingdom (c. 11th–15th centuries), known for its stone architecture, especially the Great Zimbabwe, and its role in regional trade networks

Swahili

a coastal culture and language that developed from the blending of Bantu and Arab influences; prominent in East African trade cities like Kilwa and Mombasa

Mali

a West African empire that succeeded Ghana, flourishing from the 13th to 15th centuries; known for its wealth, Islamic scholarship, and cities like Timbuktu

Sundiata

the founder of the Mali Empire, celebrated in oral tradition as a heroic figure who united the region and established a strong centralized government

Mansa Musa

a famous ruler of Mali (r. 1312–1337), known for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca and for promoting Islamic learning and architecture in West Africa

Timbuktu

a major city in the Mali and later Songhai empires, renowned for its Islamic scholarship, trade, and cultural achievements

Songhai

a powerful West African empire that rose after Mali, reaching its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries; known for its military strength and administrative sophistication

Hausa Kingdoms

a collection of city-states in northern Nigeria that emerged around the 10th century, known for trade, craftsmanship, and Islamic influence

animism

a religious belief system in which natural objects, places, and creatures possess spiritual essence; common in many indigenous African societies

griots

West African storytellers, historians, and musicians who preserved oral traditions and genealogies across generations

Hinduism

a major world religion originating in South Asia, characterized by a belief in reincarnation, karma, dharma, and a pantheon of deities, with sacred texts like the Vedas and Upanishads

dharma

one’s duty in life, based on age, caste, and stage of life; central to Hindu and Buddhist ethics

karma

the belief that actions in this life affect one's fate in future lives

moksha

liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara); the ultimate spiritual goal in Hinduism

Vedas

ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, containing hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings.

Upanishads

philosophical writings that explore the deeper meanings of the Vedas, focusing on concepts like the soul (atman) and ultimate reality (Brahman)

Caste System

the class structure in Hindu society dividing people into rigid groups based on birth and occupation

varnas

the four broad social classes in Hindu society—Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers)

Bhakti Movement

a devotional movement in medieval India emphasizing personal connection with a deity, often challenging caste distinctions and promoting spiritual equality

Buddhism

a religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 6th century BCE, focused on overcoming suffering through ethical living, meditation, and wisdom

Siddhartha Gautama

the founder of Buddhism, who attained enlightenment and taught the path to end suffering

Four Noble Truths

core Buddhist teachings

Eightfold Path

a guide to ethical and mental development in Buddhism, including right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration

nirvana

the state of perfect peace and liberation from the cycle of rebirth; the ultimate goal in Buddhism

Theravada

the oldest form of Buddhism, emphasizing individual enlightenment through meditation and discipline

Mahayana

a branch of Buddhism that emphasizes compassion, the role of Bodhisattvas, and the possibility of enlightenment for all.

bodhisattva

in Mahayana Buddhism, a being who seeks enlightenment and helps others achieve liberation

Delhi Sultanate

a series of Muslim dynasties that ruled northern India from 1206 to 1526, introducing Islamic governance and culture while interacting with existing Hindu traditions

Vijayanagara Empire

a Hindu empire in southern India (established in 1336) that resisted Islamic expansion and became a major center of trade, culture, and temple architecture

Sinhala Dynasties

Buddhist kingdoms in Sri Lanka that maintained religious and cultural traditions

purdah

a social and religious practice among some Muslim and Hindu communities involving the seclusion of women from public observation, often through clothing or physical separation

monsoon

seasonal wind patterns in the Indian Ocean that enabled trade by allowing predictable sailing schedules

Khmer Empire

a powerful Southeast Asian empire (c. 802–1431) centered in present-day Cambodia, known for its monumental architecture like Angkor Wat and its Hindu-Buddhist syncretism