Geography
This river provided water and fertile soil for early Indian civilizations.
The Indus River.
This social system divided people into groups based on birth and occupation.
What is the caste system.
This is one of the world’s oldest religions, which began in India.
What is Hinduism?
This empire was the first to unify most of India.
What is the Maurya Empire?
This major mathematical concept, developed during the Gupta period, changed the world.
What is zero?
These mountains made travel into India difficult and helped protect the region.
What are the Himalayan Mountains.
People in this caste were priests and considered the highest group.
What are the Brahmins?
his religion was founded by Siddhartha Gautama after he reached enlightenment.
What is Buddhism?
This founder of the Maurya Empire united much of India around 322 BCE.
Who is Chandragupta Maurya?
This system continued to shape people’s roles and social structure during the Gupta Empire.
What is the caste system?
Seasonal winds that bring heavy rains to India each year.
What are monsoons.
This caste included warriors and rulers responsible for protection and leadership.
What are the Kshatriyas?
This belief in Hinduism and Buddhism means the soul is reborn after death.
What is reincarnation?
This emperor expanded the empire greatly but later turned to peace after a brutal war.
Who is Ashoka?
This factor contributed to the decline of the Gupta Empire, including attacks from outside groups.
What are invasions (such as the Huns)?
These geographic features helped farming but could also cause dangerous flooding, forcing people to adapt.
What are the Indus River and the Ganges River.
This caste was made up of merchants and traders.
What are the Vaishyas?
This concept refers to the idea that a person’s actions affect their future lives.
What is karma?
These stone pillars and edicts were used by Ashoka to communicate laws and moral ideas.
What are Ashoka’s edicts?
This term describes a time of great learning, art, and discovery during the Gupta Empire.
What is a Golden Age?
Name three things that were natural barriers in Ancient India.
What are rivers, mountains, and deserts.
This group was outside the caste system and often faced discrimination and unfair treatment.
Who are the Dalits (Untouchables)?
This is the ultimate goal in Buddhism, meaning the end of suffering.
What is Nirvana?
This belief system influenced Ashoka to promote nonviolence and compassion.
What is Buddhism?
This type of work, like growing crops, helped feed people during the Gupta Empire.
What is farming (agriculture)?