The Silk Road and Cultural Diffusion

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts related to the Silk Road, cultural diffusion, and ancient civilizations in India.

Silk Road

A vast network of trade routes connecting East Asia, Middle East, and Europe, existing from the 2nd century BCE until the 15th century CE.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

Indus Valley Civilization

The first confirmed permanent settlements of humans in India, existing from 3300 to 1700 BCE, known for sophisticated city planning.

Vedic Civilization

A period in India following the Indus Valley Civilization, associated with the rise of Hinduism and important texts like the Vedas and the Mahabharata.

Hinduism

The dominant religion in India that developed during the Vedic Period, encompassing a variety of beliefs and practices.

Buddhism

A major belief system founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in India, which rejects many key tenets of Hinduism.

Mahajanapadas

The sixteen most powerful kingdoms and republics in ancient India, primarily located in the fertile Ganges River plains.

Rig Veda

The oldest of the Vedas and the most sacred text in Hinduism, written in Sanskrit over 6,000 years ago.

Upanishads

Sections of the Vedas addressing philosophy, meditation, and the nature of God, crucial to the development of Indian philosophy.

Mahabharata

The world's longest epic poem, depicting a great war in ancient India, encompassing themes of justice and ethics.

Monsoons

Seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall, playing a critical role in agriculture and trade in the Indian subcontinent.