Comprehensive Mongol and Ancient Indian Culture & History Vocabulary

Asceticism

Living with extreme self-discipline; giving up comfort or pleasure

Impermanence

The idea that everything changes and nothing lasts forever

Aryan

Indo-European migrants who settled in ancient India

Brahmin

The highest caste; priests and teachers

Mantra

A sacred word or phrase repeated in prayer or meditation

Harappa

Major city of the Indus Valley Civilization

Mahabharata

Ancient Indian epic poem

Sanskrit

Classical language of ancient India

Rig Veda

Oldest Hindu religious text

Soma

Ritual drink used in Vedic ceremonies

Atman

Individual soul

Brahman

Universal/world soul

Karma

Actions that affect your future lives

Dharma

Moral duty or proper behavior

Samsara

Cycle of rebirth

Moksha

Release from samsara (enlightenment)

Nirvana

State of enlightenment and freedom from suffering

Mandate of Heaven

Belief that rulers are chosen by heaven and can lose power if unjust

Feudalism

System where nobles hold land in exchange for loyalty and military service

Legalism

Belief in strict laws and harsh punishments to control people

Dynastic Cycle

Pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties

Confucianism

Philosophy based on order, respect, family, and education

Taoism (Daoism)

Living in harmony with nature and the Tao (the Way)

Mohism

Belief in universal love and equality

Khanate

A region ruled by a khan

Meritocracy

System where people earn positions based on skill, not birth

Contiguous

Sharing a border; connected

Regent

Person who rules for a child or absent ruler

Cavalry

Soldiers who fight on horseback

Patrilineal

Inheritance passed through the father's line

Boqta

Headdress worn by Mongol women

Yurt

Portable round tent used by nomads

Kurultai

Council meeting to choose a leader

Sinicization

Adopting Chinese culture and customs

Divine Mandate

Belief that a ruler is chosen by God/heaven (similar to Mandate of Heaven)

Silk Road

Trade routes connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa

Pax Mongolica

Period of peace and stability under Mongol rule

Khatun

Title for a Mongol queen or noble woman

Concubine

Woman kept by a man in addition to his wife

Shamanism

Belief that spiritual leaders can communicate with spirits

Polygamy

Having more than one spouse

Polygyny

One man, multiple wives

Polyandry

One woman, multiple husbands

Exogamy

Marrying outside your clan or group

Dowry

Property or money given by bride's family at marriage

Ordu

Mongol royal camp or palace

Tengriism

Religion worshipping the sky god Tengri

Psychological Warfare

Using fear to defeat enemies

Siege Tactics

Methods used to attack fortified cities

Yassa Law

Law code created by Genghis Khan

Black Death

Deadly plague spread during Mongol trade expansion

Culture

Beliefs, customs, traditions, language, art of a people

Civilization

Complex society with cities, government, religion, and writing

Paleolithic Age

Old Stone Age; hunter-gatherer period

Agricultural Revolution

Shift from hunting-gathering to farming

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Theory of human needs (food → safety → love → esteem → purpose)