Chapter 3: Settlers and Migrants: The Creation of States in Asia 5000-500 BCE

30 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 3: Settlers and Migrants in Asia, 5000-500 BCE.

Indus Valley Culture (Harappan)

Early urban culture of South Asia (2600–1900 BCE) in the Indus Valley, known for planned cities, sanitation systems, long-distance trade, and a still undeciphered script.

Mohenjo-Daro

Major Indus Valley city in the eastern part of modern Pakistan; features include the Great Bath and advanced urban planning.

Harappa

Important Indus Valley city that formed part of the Harappan urban network and trade system.

Great Bath

Public bath in Mohenjo-Daro with waterproofing; likely used for ritual bathing or purification.

Indus Script

Undeciphered writing system used in the Indus Valley; signs carved on seals and pottery, likely for administrative purposes.

Seals

Stamp seals bearing Indus signs and images used to mark goods and facilitate long-distance trade.

Uniform weights and measures

Standardized system of weights and measures used across Indus cities to enable trade.

Indus Valley trade goods

Valuable items such as carnelian, lapis lazuli, shells, timber, and textiles exchanged within and beyond the Indus Valley.

Oxus Culture

Central Asian culture (2100–1700 BCE) in the Amu Darya/Syr Darya region; fortified fortresses and luxury crafts; declined around 1700 BCE.

Irrigation canals (Oxus region)

Canal networks enabling irrigation agriculture around oases in Central Asia; essential for year-round farming.

Indo-European languages

A language family (not a race) including Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, and related tongues; spread through migrations and cultural contact across Eurasia.

Arya

Sanskrit for 'noble'; term used for Indo-European-speaking migrants who entered the Indian subcontinent after 2000 BCE.

Chariot

Two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle; a key military and ceremonial technology spreading from nomadic and interconnected societies after 1500 BCE.

Horse domestication

Process of domesticating horses (roughly 4000–2000 BCE) that increased mobility and enabled horse-based warfare and transport.

Vedic Age

Indian era (1500–500 BCE) marked by Aryan settlement and the composition of the Vedas.

Vedas

Ancient Indian sacred texts consisting of hymns, prayers, and chants; earliest form of Indian religious literature.

Rig Veda

Oldest Vedic collection (c. 1500–900 BCE) of hymns addressed to deities; written down around 500 BCE.

Dasa

Term meaning 'enemy' used in the Vedas to describe non-Indo-European populations encountered by Aryans.

Varna

Fourfold Indian social order: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras; later elaborated with additional groups.

Jati

Occupation-based subcastes within the varna; formed stable social groups with endogamy and specific duties.

Upanishads

Later Vedic texts (~500 BCE) that emphasize inner spirituality, Brahman, atman, and karma over ritual sacrifice.

Brahman

Universal, eternal soul binding all life in Indian thought.

atman

The immortal inner self or soul; realization of atman leads to liberation.

karma

Moral law of cause and effect determining rebirth and experiences in future lives.

Manu

Lawbook of Manu outlining social order, duties, and gender roles in early Indian society.

Mandate of Heaven

Chinese doctrine that Heaven grants the right to rule and can withdraw it if a ruler misgoverns.

Oracle bones

Shang dynasty bones or shells used for divination; inscribed with early Chinese script to predict the future.

Shang Dynasty

Bronze-Age Chinese dynasty (c. 1570–1027 BCE) known for oracle bones, ancestor worship, and elite tombs.

Anyang

Capital city of the Shang dynasty; major archaeological site with royal tombs and oracle bones.

Zhou Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (1027–771 BCE) that expanded state control through indirect rule by regional lords and cultivated a lasting cultural identity; associated with the Mandate of Heaven and the Book of Songs.