EARLY INDIA

Hinduism

Major religious system of India beliefs, first originated from the Ayrons. The most important god being Brahma

Ganesha

One of the most beloved, worshiping gods in Hindu religion, has the head of an elephant

Sanskrit

Written language developed around 1000 BC by Aryans wrote down legends and religious chants

Rajas

Aryan leaders or princesses who created small kingdoms they fought each other and took women, cattle and treasure

Aryans

Group of nomatic people described as Indo-Europeans emerged

Casts

Term for “jati” people in India who were put into categories and ranking based on their family and economics

Location of Himulayas

1

Location of the Bay of Bengal

2

Location of the Indian Ocean

3

Location of the Arabian Sea

4

Caste system

Rigid social categories that determined each person’s position in Indian society

Varnas

The four major social classes in Aryan society

Brahmins

The top position in social hierarchy of India. Usually in charge of religious ceremonies

Kshatriyas

The warrior class, sometimes families from other classes were allowed into this class

Vaisyas

The commoner class. Consisted mostly of merchants or farmers

Sudras

Largest population of Indians most were peasants or worked in manual labor. Had little rights

Untouchables

The very lowest level in Indian society, they were given degrading task and labor

Reincarnation

The belief that a person soul is reborn in a different form after death

Monsoon

The seasonal winds in ancient India’s climate

Karma

The idea that a person’s actions will determine what their next life will be when they are reborn

Dharma

Divine law that requires people to do their duty more expected of the higher cast members

Buddhism

Religion appeared in northern India and rivaled Hinduism based on the techniques of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

Nirvana

Achieving wisdom ultimate reality and reuniting with the great world soul (God of Buddhism)