What are the two religions born in the 5th century BCE? / Jainism and Buddhism
What was the Vedic Era known for? / The beginning of Vedic religious beliefs and rituals recorded in the Vedas
What were the Vedas? / Sacred Sanskrit scriptures and collections of hymns considered sources of knowledge
Who were the Vedic people? / Pastoral people living in the Punjab region
What materials did Vedic people mainly use? / Wood, clay, bamboo, and other temporary materials
What was yajna? / A fire sacrifice ritual performed to please natural deities
Did Vedic religion require temples or idols? / No, rituals were performed without temples or iconography
What type of religion was early Vedic faith? / A naturalistic polytheistic religion
Why were there many gods in Vedic religion? / Because each natural phenomenon had its own deity
Who performed yajna rituals? / Priests called yajaka
Who was the yajmana? / The patron or benefactor for whom the yajna was performed
What was Varna? / The caste system in Vedic society
What does Varna mean? / Color or kind
Why is Vedic religion also called Brahmanism? / Because Brahmin priests held great importance
What is Hinduism described as in the notes? / A broad term covering many religious systems, sects, and cults
Which Veda is considered the oldest? / Rig Veda
How were the Vedas passed down originally? / Through oral tradition
What problem occurred because of oral transmission of the Vedas? / Chronological and dating errors
What did the later Vedas mainly contain? / Sacrificial instructions, magic formulas, and spells
What was the Shramanic tradition? / A movement opposing Vedic beliefs and Brahmanism
Who were the Shramanas? / Ascetics and wanderers searching for ultimate truth
What does Shramana mean? / Striving and working hard through austerity
Why did Shramanas leave their homes? / To search for truth about life and the universe
Which Shramanic traditions survived into modern times? / Buddhism and Jainism
What does Jainism believe in? / Eternal souls and extreme austerities for liberation
What does Buddhism believe in? / Impermanence, nonexistence of soul, and the middle path
What is the Buddhist middle path? / A moderate path avoiding extremes to achieve Nirvana
Why did Buddhism spread more widely than Jainism? / Buddhism became missionary and spread across Asia
Why did Jainism remain limited mainly to India? / Because it lacked missionary expansion
What political factor helped Buddhism rise? / Changing political conditions in South Asia
What material change occurred during the Mauryan period? / A shift from perishable materials to stone and durable materials
How did Alexander’s invasion affect South Asia? / It introduced foreign artistic and cultural influences
Who founded the Maurya Empire? / Chandragupta Maurya
Who was Seleucus Nicator? / A Greek general of Alexander the Great
Who was Megasthenes? / A Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court
Who expanded the Mauryan Empire into the Deccan? / Bindusara
Who was Ashoka? / The grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and a major Buddhist ruler
What event changed Ashoka’s attitude toward violence? / The War of Kalinga
How did Ashoka react after the Kalinga War? / He felt deep regret for violence
What did Ashoka reportedly build after embracing Buddhism? / Thousands of stupas
What were Ashoka’s edicts? / Inscriptions spread across his empire promoting moral teachings
What is the Lion Capital of Sarnath? / A famous Mauryan sculpture and symbol of authority
Which foreign styles influenced Mauryan art? / Achaemenid Persian and Greek styles
What is Mauryan polish? / A smooth, shiny finish used on Mauryan sculptures and pillars
Why do some Mauryan sculptures appear highly developed? / Because Persian or Persian-trained craftsmen likely worked on them
What medium remained continuously used in South Asia since Harappan times? / Terracotta
What kinds of objects were commonly made from terracotta? / Sculpture, pottery, toys, and ornaments
What are Yakshas and Yakshis? / Nature spirits associated with fertility and prosperity
What issue exists with dating Mauryan sculptures? / Many sculptures are difficult to date accurately
What do Mauryan male statues resemble stylistically? / Wood carving traditions
What architectural tradition began with rock-cut caves? / The long tradition of rock-cut architecture in South Asia
What inspired early rock-cut caves? / Persian cave traditions and wooden architecture
What was special about the Sanchi Stupa during the Shunga period? / Decorative yakshi carvings and mature relief work were added
What were yakshis associated with? / Fertility and nature worship
What artistic style characterized Shunga reliefs? / Shallow relief inspired by wood carving
What are Jataka tales? / Stories about the previous lives of the Buddha
What symbols represented Buddha before his human image appeared? / Wheels, Bodhi trees, footprints, and empty thrones
What does the term “Early Classic” describe? / The artistic maturity of Shunga and Andh
88
