Geography
Mohenjodaro
Hinduism and Buddhism
Unification of India: Mauryan Empire
Golden Age: Gupta Empire
100
Because of India's size and relationship to land and water, it is considered:
a. a plateau
b. an isthmus
c. an ecosystem
d. a subcontinent
What is D- subcontinent?
A subcontinent is a large land mass near water.
100
The Harappan civilization, which included ancient Mohenjodaro, developed in the:
a. Western Ghats
b. Deccan Plateau
c. Indus River valley
d. Ganges River valley
What is the C -Indus River valley?
The Western Ghats are mountains; the Deccan Plateau is a flat mountaintop. The Ganges River valley is to the east and the Indus River valley is to the west.
100
Which religion believes that people should stay in their caste?
What is Hinduism?
The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The idea being that there are different people and so different people will fit well into different aspects of society. Your caste determines what work you do and where you fit in society.
100
What was the main achievement of the Maurya family?
a. To unify India
b. To spread Buddhism
c. To build famous temples
d. To improve the lives of peasants
What is A - to unify India?
Under the Mauryan Empire, India was able to grow to almost its present-day size. The Mauryan Empire had strong government control over their kingdoms.
100
What is a "golden age"?
What is a period of peace, prosperity (wealth), and happiness?
Usually a time when the arts, skills, and activities are at their peak.
200
India is known for its summer monsoons, which bring:
a. heavy rain
b. dust storms
c. unbearable heat
d. pleasant mornings
What are A - heavy rains?
A wet (rainy) monsoon blows from the southwest between May and September in Southeast Asia. Sometimes a monsoon can bring torrential rains, similar to a hurricane or typhoon!
200
Part of Mohenjodaro was raised up and surrounded by a wall. What does this tell us about the city?
a. It had traders who stayed near the roads
b. It had religious leaders who lived separately
c. It had rich people who owned the best homes
d. It had enemies who might attack the residents
What is D - It had enemies who might attack the residents?
200
This religion was started by a prince who turned into an ascetic (monk).
Bonus - What was the prince's name?
What is Buddhism?
Bonus: Who is Siddhartha Gautama?
Siddhartha became a monk after seeing sickness, aging, and death outside of his kingdom. He devoted his life to achieving enlightenment and then sharing that knowledge.
200
How did Chandragupta Maurya begin building his empire?
a. He sent ships to far-off islands
b. He conquered neighboring kingdoms
c. He sponsored settlements by colonists
d. He persuaded other rulers to unite with him
What is B - He conquered neighboring kingdoms?
Chandragupta Maurya was known for taking over neighboring kingdoms, but still maintaining good relationships with those he conquered.
200
How did the first Gupta ruler form alliances (partnerships) with other rulers?
a. Giving them land
b. Arranging marriages
c. Killing them in battle
d. Sending wise advisors
What is B - arranging marriages?
Gupta married his sons and daughters to neighboring rulers' sons and daughters to keep the peace between their countries and build good relationships between them for trade.
300
Which areas of India have the most fertile farmland?
a. Hindu Kush
b. Deccan Plateau
c. Himalaya Mountains
d. plains along the Ganges River
What are the D -plains along the Ganges River?
When rivers flood, they carry silt (high nutrient soil) to the land surrounding the river.
300
What feature of Mohenjodaro was quite different from other cities of that time?
a. High wall
b. Dirt rods
c. Brick homes
d. Sewer systems
What is D - Sewer systems?
300
This religion refers to the Vedas, as their holy texts.
What is Hinduism?
The Vedas are four books written in Sanskrit, meant to guide and teach people who follow Hinduism.
300
Chandragupta's grandson, Ashoka, was also a great conqueror of other lands. What specific event/experience made him stop?
What is the devastation and death of the Kalinga War and his conversion to Buddhism?
The death toll was so high and vicious from this war, it is said that the rivers were full of blood.
300
How did the Gupta Empire show achievement in academics/learning?
What is:
- build colleges and universities throughout the empire
- train students in many different subjects
- create the decimal system
- calculate the number of days in the year
- invent the number zero
- use mathematics to build complex buildings
400
How are the Indus and Ganges rivers similar to the Nile River in Egypt?
a. They begin in the same general area
b. They carry silt that enriches the soil
c. They flow in the same general direction
d. They have big floods that prevented early settlement
What is B - They carry silt that enriches the soil?
Silt is super nutrient-rich soil that is carried by overflowing flood waters.
400
Where did most of the people of Mohenjodaro live?
a. In the citadel
b. In the tall tower
c. In the lower city
d. In the courtyards
Where is the C -In the lower city?
400
Which religion follows the Four Noble Truths?
What is Buddhism?
The Four Noble Truths are the central (main) beliefs in Buddhist teaching.
400
What is this an example of?
What is Ashoka's pillar of edicts?
These pillars were Ashoka's way of spreading Buddhism practices throughout his kingdom. These can still be found in modern India.
400
What change took place in Hinduism during the Gupta Empire?
a. Laws were improved
b. Legends were written down
c. Complex rituals were abandoned
d. Sacred temples were destroyed
What is B - Legends were written down?
The Golden Age produced many of the great stories and books of Ancient India.
500
What large bodies of water surround India?
What are the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean?
500
What part of Mohenjodaro is raised higher than other parts of the city and was used by the military?
What is the citadel?
500
Name one belief that both Hinduism and Buddhism share.
What are:
- Enlightenment
- Karma
- Dharma
- Non-violence
- Meditation
- Reincarnation
- Both orignate from ancient India
500
What famous land mass made it hard to connect India to Central Asia?
What are the Himalayan Mountains (Himalayas)?
500
What are some ways that the Gupta Empire was different from the Mauryan Empire?
What are:
- gave local areas more independence
- divided the empire into provinces
- governors and town leaders could make many decisions on their own