Indus Valley Civilization
What two ancient cities were part of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
What are the Hindu sacred texts called?
The Vedas
Who founded Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha
Who founded the Maurya Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya
Who founded the Gupta Empire?
Chandra Gupta I
What did archaeologists find that shows Indus people planned their cities carefully?
Streets laid out in a grid pattern
What do Hindus call the social class system that divided people into groups?
The caste system or varnas
What are the Four Noble Truths mainly about?
Understanding and ending suffering
Who was Chandragupta’s grandson and one of India’s greatest rulers?
Asoka
The Gupta period is often called India’s ____________ Age.
Golden Age
What river was important to the Indus Valley Civilization?
The Indus River
What is karma?
The belief that actions affect a person’s next life
What path should Buddhists follow to reach enlightenment?
The Eightfold Path
After the Kalinga War, what major change did Asoka make?
He became Buddhist and ruled by moral law
What mathematical concept did the Guptas develop?
The concept of zero
What are possible reasons the Indus Civilization disappeared?
Floods, drought, or invasion
Who is the single spiritual being that Hindus believe all gods are part of?
Brahman
What is the final goal of Buddhism, a state of peace and freedom from desire?
Nirvana
What was Asoka’s main method of spreading his beliefs?
Pillars and rock edicts across India
What scientist discovered that the Earth rotates on its axis?
Aryabhata
What modern-day countries were once part of the Indus Valley Civilization?
India and Pakistan
What is dharma?
A person’s moral duty or role in life
What are the two main branches of Buddhism?
Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
Name one reform Asoka made to improve the lives of his people.
Built roads, hospitals, and rest houses; spread tolerance and peace
What does the Iron Pillar of Delhi show about Gupta technology?
Their skill in metallurgy; it has never rusted