Ancient Civilizations
Which civilization is considered the oldest in India?
(Indus Valley Civilization)
Who became the Buddha?
(Siddhartha Gautama)
Name two rulers of the Mauryan Empire
(Ashoka and Chandragupta Maurya)
What is the caste system in India based on?
(A class structure determined by birth)
What was one of the advanced features of Indus Valley cities?
(Plumbing and urban planning)
What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism?
Nirvana
What war led Ashoka to convert to Buddhism?
(The Kalinga War)
What is the term for achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth in Hinduism?
(Moksha)
How many cities were estimated to exist in the Indus Valley Civilization?
(100+)
What is the Eightfold Path meant to achieve?
(Enlightenment/Nirvana)
During which years did the Gupta Empire rule?
(320-550 CE)
What was the Gupta Empire most known for?
(Achievements in arts and sciences)
What are three theories about the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(Flood, invasion, and earthquake)
In Hinduism, what is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth called?
(Samsara)
What happened to India after the fall of the Mauryan Empire?
It split into several small kingdoms
What law was passed to end caste-based discrimination in India?
(The Untouchability Offences Act)
– What type of religion did the Indus Valley people follow?
Polytheistic
What are the sacred texts of Hinduism called?
The Vedas
What was Ashoka’s major contribution to spreading Buddhism?
(His edicts and policies promoting peace and nonviolence)
What are the four levels of the caste system?