Topic 3 Vocab Review

A smaller piece of land that's part of a larger continent, but has some differences that earn a separate designation.

Subcontinent

Twin Capitals of the Indus Valley civilization

Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro

Seasonal winds that impact the Indian subcontinent

Monsoons

Hindu religious texts that date back to c.3500 B.C.E.; Collection of hymns, chants, ritual instructions and other religious teachings; outlines all aspects of Aryan society and life.

The Vedas

"Warrior King" under which the early Aryan tribes were organized

Rajah

The four Hindu social groups that make up the Caste System.

The Varnas

Varna of "those who serve" - servants

Sudra

Varna of "those who produce goods" - common people (merchants, artisans, farmers)

Vaishya

Varna of "those who accumulate power" - warriors & rulers

Kshatriya

Varna of "those who learn" - priests and teachers

Brahmins

Not considered part of the varnas; outside the caste system

Untouchables

Hindu/Jain principle of nonviolence

Ahimsa

In Hinduism, the piece of Brahman in every human - the essential self, the soul

Atman

The Hindu cycle of reincarnation/rebirth.

Samsara

In Hinduism, when a soul breaks free of the reincarnation cycle and returns to Brahman

Moksha

Outlined in the Vedas and enforced by the Law Code of Manu (Gupta), the rigid social hierarchy of the Hindu varnas

The Caste System

Hindu prince who became known as the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama

Basic principles of Buddhism - life is suffering, we suffer because of desire, ending desire would end suffering, one can end desire by following the Eightfold Path

The Four Noble Truths

Also known in Buddhism as the "Middle Way" - Eight principles for how to live in order to eliminate desire.

The Eightfold Path

The goal for all Buddhists - a state of "perfect peace" where one has escaped suffering.

Nirvana

The recorded words of Siddhartha Gautama - recorded by his followers after his death

The Dhammapada

Oldest Buddhist writings, written in the Pali language

The Pali Canon (Tripitaka)

Founder of the Mauryan Empire

Chandragupta Maurya

Text on gov't policy written by Kautilya (advisor to Chandragupta Maurya) advocating strict gov't control

The Arthashastra

Ruled the Mauryan Empire at its height; spread Buddhism by sending missionaries abroad

Emperor Ashoka

Founder of the Gupta Empire;organized the empire based on Hindu principles

Chandra Gupta I

Ruled the Gupta Empire at its height

Chandra Gupta II

Prosperous trade routes connecting the Mediterranean Sea to Eastern Asia - markets from Africa, Europe, Middle East, and China became connected

The Silk Roads

A period of peace, stability and prosperity when culture flourishes

Golden Age

Gupta legal system which defined proper behavior for people of different varnas and castes.

The Law Code of Manu

Gupta Poet who wrote Sakuntala

Kalidasa

Gupta astronomer & mathematician who discovered that the Earth rotates on an axis and revolves around sun

Aryabhata