Ancient India

Subcontinent

A large part of a continent.

Monsoon

A wind pattern that influences the climate and leads to wet and dry seasons.

Mohenjo-Daro

One of the largest Harappan cities.

Harappa

India’s first civilization, located along the Indus River.

Vedas

A collection of religious poems, myths, and hymns that influenced Hinduism.

Aryans

A group from Central Asia who moved into India and established Vedic society.

Sanskrit

An important language of Ancient India.

Caste System

A social order that has determined one’s place in Indian society.

Hinduism

A major world religion that developed in India from the Vedas.

Reincarnation

The rebirth of one’s soul.

Karma

The effect a person’s actions have on their soul.

Ahimsa

Nonviolence and respect for living things.

Dharma

One’s spiritual duties.

Moksha

Achieved when one is released from the cycle of rebirth.

Buddhism

A religion centered around the teachings of the Buddha.

Meditation

Focusing one’s mind on spiritual ideas.

Nirvana

A state of peace that is free from suffering and desire.

Siddhartha Gautama

A prince who discovered enlightenment and became known as the Buddha or the 'Enlightened One'.

Jainism

A religion founded in India by Mahavira that promotes nonviolence.

Sikhism

A monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak that promotes honesty and equality.

Chandragupta Maurya

A military leader who founded the Mauryan Empire.

Ashoka

Mauryan king who extended his rule across most of India and prioritized the well-being of his people.

Chandra Gupta II

Leader who expanded the Gupta empire and strengthened the economy.

Metallurgy

The science of working with metals, which was founded in Ancient India.