World civ India

The Harappans

The first known Indian civilization. They existed at the same time as the Akkadians in Mesopotamia, and evidence shows that there was trade between them. Their cities were laid out in grid patterns. Little to no weapons have been found at sites associated with this civilization, and no evidence of wars have been found either.

Aryans

A group of Indo-European speaking tribes who found their way into India and became a dominant power.

Sanskrit

A language spoken by the Aryans.

Vedas

Written texts of a religious nature, also containing information about Aryan society. The most famous is Rigveda.

Caste system

A rigid system of social classes still in effect in Indian culture today, primarily in more rural areas. It is nearly impossible to move from one caste to another.

Brahmans

The clergy or priests, the highest level in the Indian caste system.

Kshatriyas

Warriors. The second highest level in the Indian caste system.

Vaishayas

The third caste level. Commoners, farmers, merchants, artisans. Could have owned land.

Shudras

The last caste level. Non-Aryans, considered beneath the Vaishayas because they weren’t Aryan. Mostly farm workers.

Vishnu

The Hindu god of the sun. He is believed to take human form occasionally.

Shiva

The Hindu god of destruction and rebirth, always represented dancing. Believed to occasionally take human form.

Kali

The Hindu mother goddess, but also the goddess of death. Represents Indian attitudes towards women.

Chandragupta Maurya

Overthrew the leaders that ruled on behalf of Alexander the great and created the first Indian empire. He was a patron of jainism.

Kautilya

An adviser that wrote a text for Chandragupta Maurya, telling him to do what is expedient. This advice goes against the basic precepts of Indian culture. The genre of writing that he invented is known as “Mirrors for Princes”

Ashoka

A grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. He conquered much of India and then felt bad so he converted to Buddhism. His empire was hegemonic, and he built many public structures.

Rock edicts

Rock structures with Buddhist sayings/chants on them. There are only 9 remaining.

The Kushans

Under this group of people, northwest India participated in seagoing trade on the silk road. They were driven from China and settled in India.

Kanishka

A Kushan king who fully adopted Indian culture including Mahayana Buddhism, which is still practiced today.

The Gupta Dynasty

The smallest but longest Indian dynasty. This dynasty was the height of ancient Indian history, under the emperor Chandragupta II. They developed a classical style of art, architecture, and literature. The empire flourished militarily as well. They were primarily Hindu but tolerated other religions.

The end of the Gupta dynasty

The Gupta Dynasty ended due to military defeats, withering leadership, devalued money, and invasions by the Huns. After the dynasty ended, local kingdoms reemerged. Each kingdom promoted artists, poets, and architects and encouraged them to live in their kingdoms.

Hinduism

A religion introduced by the Aryans. Has some European roots, is polytheistic and has some similarities to the Greek/Roman gods. There are different branches based on personal preference for the different gods. According to this religion, the universe was created by a being called Brahma.

Samsara

The Hindu belief of reincarnation, being reborn over and over.

Moksha

Liberation from the system of reincarnation, or Samsara.

Atman

Your eternal self or soul according to Hinduism. Similar to the the ancient Egyptian ka.

dharma (Hinduism)

Duty, virtue, and morality according to Hinduism. What you should do in life. It is different for people depending on your caste, occupation, and gender.

Karma

A Buddhist concept. Every action has an equal (but not opposite) reaction. Do good and good will be done to you, do bad and bad will be done to you.

Jainism

Founded by Mahvira. Shuns violence and any actions that harm other creatures.

Ahimsa

The core belief of Jainism, the idea of non-violence.

The Buddha (Siddhartha)

Grew up in comfort and privilege, eventually shunned all luxuries and lived an impoverished life so he could search for nirvana.

Dharma (Buddhism)

The teachings of the Buddha.

Nirvana

A state of blissful nothingness.