World History - Ancient South Asia

subcontinent

a smaller piece of land that is part of a larger continent

monsoon

strong, violent wind storms that change directions based on the season
can bring floodings

harappa

a city
very well developed but was abandoned for unknown reasons

mohenjo-daro

one of the largest settlements in Indus valley
very well developed

vedas

religious text
outlines all aspects of aryan society and life
collection of hymns, chants, ritual instruction and other religious teachings

rajah

warrior king

varnas

social groups

brahmins

“those who learn”
priests and teachers
highest in the social class (besides god)
understood dharma

kshatriyas

“those who accumulate power”
warriors and rulers
2nd highest
ran the government

vaishyas

“those who produced goods”
common people, merchants, artisans, farmers

sudras

“those who serve”
servants

untouchables

given unclean jobs
not considered of the varnas,
usually people who migrated there and are unwelcomed

henotheism

belief in one supreme deity (god) composed of many secondary deities

brahman

the supreme deity

devas

secondary deities

main ones:
brahma - the creatorr
vishnu - the preserver
shiva - the destroyer

reincarnation (samsara)

the rebirth of a soul in a new body, repeats over and over

karma

sum effect of one’s actions in a lifetime

dharma

one’s purpose in life
the set of obligations/duties one must fulfill in a lifetime
based on one’s varna

ahimsa

non violence
all people/things are aspects of Brahman and should be respected

atman

the eventual goal to achieve in hinduism
piece of brahman in every human - the essential self, the soul, breaks the reincarnation cycle and returns to brahman

moksha

the eventual goal to achieve in hinduism
oneness with brahman

caste system

the system aryans used to categorize people

siddhartha gautama

the person who started buddhism
also known as budda

four noble truths

1. suffering is a part of human life. no one can escape suffering while alive.

2. suffering comes from people’s desires for pleasures and material goods

3. overcoming these desires during life eventually brings peace

4. desires can be overcome by following the eightfold path

eightfold path

the middle way to live
1. right view - accepting the four noble truths
2. right attitude - striving for moderation in all things
3. right speech - no lies, bragging, or hurtful words
4. right action - treat other people fairly
5. right livelihood - avoid jobs that bring harm to others
6. right effort - always try to improve oneself
7. right mindfulness - put others before yourself
8. right concentration - ignoring temptation and discomfort while meditating

nirvana

if ones follows the four noble truths and eightfold path one will achieve nirvana
-dhammapadaperfect peace

dhammapada

the recorded words of Siddhartha gautama written down after he died by his follwers

pail canon (tripitaka)

oldest buddhist writings, written in the pali language

chandragupta maurya

established the mauryan empire
began conquering different kingdoms
very strict, controlling rule
great economy during this time

arthasatra

text on government policy

emperor ashoka

converted to Buddhism after seeing the lives lost as he fought wars
supported buddhist missionaries
adopted religious toleration
opposite rule of his grandfather, chandragupta maurya

missionaries

a person/group of people sent on religious missions to promote the religion in different countries and territories

chandra gupta I

founder of the gupta empire
strict laws

chandra gupta II

ruled during the height of the gupta empire
strict laws

silk road

connected Mediterranean sea to eastern Asia - markets from Africa, Europe, middle east, and China linked

golden age

a period of time where everything is thriving and in peace

law code of manu

defined proper behavior for people or different varnas and castes

kalidasa

a poet and playwright
wrote sakuntala (first Indian drama to be translated into a western language)

aryabhata

a mathematician & astronomer
found out:
earth rotates on an axis and revolves around sun
calculated circumference of earth