Geography
The earliest known civilization in South Asia developed along this river valley
Indus River
This concept suggests that behavior in this life determines social class in the next life
Karma
The caste system; the power of the brahmins
Which company essentially ruled India before Britain established direct colonial rule?
British East India Trading Company
After fighting and winning a civil war with West Pakistan, what did East Pakistan become known as?
Bangladesh
What is the correct Arabic translation of the word "monsoon"?
Season; or Seasonal Wind
This is the word for the duties of each caste
Dharma
What does nirvana mean?
The state of wanting nothing
What was Gandhi's tactic in the Indian independence movement, originally suggested by Thoreau?
Civil disobedience; refusing to obey unjust laws in a a non-violent way
In which country did US forces assassinate terrorist leader Osama bin Laden?
Pakistan
During the summer months, what weather pattern dominates South Asia?
Wet monsoon; rains; flooding, etc.
This is the goal of Hinduism, which generally translates to "freeing the soul from the cycle of reincarnation"
Moksha
What was Buddha's real name?
Siddhartha Gautama
Name both Prime Ministers of India that were assassinated while in office
Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi
Which country is primarily troubled by cyclones, which hit on a 5 - 7 year cycle?
Bangladesh
In the "rain shadow" of the Hindu Kush, there is a desert. What is this desert called?
Thar Desert
The piece of the brahman, or "universal soul", that resides in each living thing, is known as a person's what?
Atman
What are the holy texts of Buddhism called?
What was the nationalist organization, led by Mohandas Gandhi, that worked to free India from British rule?
Indian National Congress
Everest, the tallest point in the world, is in this country
Nepal
What is the name of the flat, fertile area that is fed by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers?
Indo-Gangetic Plain
What is the name of the warrior caste?
Kshatriya
Describe the two sects of Buddhism
One believes that Buddha was a god; the other believes he was simply a teacher
This attack on peaceful protesters by British forces led to international criticism of Britain and helped lead to Indian independence
Amritsar Massacre
This country's civil war, fought between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority, ended in 2007
Sri Lanka