Early Indian Civilization
Name two technological advances of the early Indian river valley civilizaiton.
Possible Answers: Writing, indoor plumbing, kiln-dried mud brick architecture, city planning (gridded streets), metallurgy, stone drilling, textile dying
Moral duty and divine law regulating human behavior
dharma
Who was Siddhartha Gautama?
The first Buddha, founder of Buddhism, a Kshatriya prince from Lumbini
What was the name of the empire that first united most of the Indian subcontinent under one rule?
The Maurya
The Indus River
What are the two largest cities of early Indian river valley civilization?
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
The cycle of rebirth in which the individual soul is reborn into a different physical form across multiple lifetimes on the wheel of life.
Samsara
This could be said to be the goal of both Hinduism and Buddhism.
To escape the cycle of reincarnation
Who was the founder of this empire?
Chandragupta
A dry, hilly interior plateau extending across central and southern India.
The Deccan Plateau
This group of pastoralists from the central Asian steppes migrated to the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BCE.
The Aryans
The moral law of cause and effect; the quality of actions in one's current life determines one's form and status in the next life.
Karma
Four sacred Hindu texts originally transmitted orally by Aryans containing hymns, rituals, and philosophy.
The Vedas
What is Ashoka most known for?
Possible answers:
1. His dramatic conversion to Buddhism (or from a violent conqueror to a benevolent and compassionate ruler)
2. Spreading Buddhism throughout the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
3. Commissioning the construction of pillars, stupas, and rock chambers inscribed with Buddhist principles
Primary river of northern India, historically central to agriculture and spiritual life ("holy river").
The Ganges River
Name the two ancient Indian epics
Mahabharata (includes the Bhagavad Gita) and the Ramayana
The individual soul or essence of a person.
Atman
What is an important difference between the beliefs of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?
Theravada - reveres the first Buddha as human, focuses on arhat (goal = individual nirvana/enlightenment)
Mahayana - reveres the first Buddhas as divine/transcendent being; focuses on becoming a Bodhisattva and helping other achieve nirvana (goal= universal enlightenment/salvation)
What event is thought to have sparked Ashoka's dramatic transformation?
The Kalinga War
The island off the southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent (where Theravada Buddhism originated).
Sri Lanka
What is a technology introduced to India by the Aryans?
Chariots, iron metallurgy, plow, wheels for transportation
This varna was said to have been formed from Purusha's thighs.
The Vaisya (merchant/common class)
Briefly explain the connection between the Hindu concepts of varna, dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha.
Everyone is born into a varna (caste) and must perform their dharma (moral duty) based on this varna in order to have positive karmic results which eventually leads to the ability to achieve moksha and be liberated from the cycle of samsara (reincarnation).
What is one way that Ashoka's change in ruling style might have contributed to the weakening and eventual fall of the empire after his death?
By redirecting resources away from military strength and defense which left the empire more vulnerable to attack.
Name two of the three mountain ranges along the Indian subcontinent's Northern border.
1. The Himalaya
2. The Hindu Kush
3. The Karakoram