Hindu Culture and Heritage
How does Hinduism feel about other religions?
Hinduism is tolerant of other religions, as it believes that there is more than one way to enlightenment.
During what time period did Hinduism develop?
Ancient times/before 300 CE
Why did the British conquer India?
They wanted to benefit from India’s immense wealth and resources.
Why did Muslims conquer India?
To settle in India, and spread Islam.
What was the time period for the Indian Golden Age?
300 CE-1100 CE
What is Karma and how does it relate to reincarnation?
Karma is the idea that action/deeds good or bad have cause & effect. Your karma influences where you are placed in your next life.
What did Indians do when the Saraswati river dried up?
They moved to North and Central India.
How were the British able to create a colony in India?
Created the East India Company as a guise for getting into India, then overtook their soldiers using powerful weapons.
Why did Hindu kings lose battles against Muslim kings?
Hindu kings fought with dharmic rules, while the Muslims had no remorse and were slaughtered.
Contrary to India, what was the state of the rest of the world?
The rest of the world, specifically Europe, was going through the Dark Ages.
List 3 characteristics of Hinduism/how Hinduism is practiced.
Divinity of animals, idol worship, vegetarianism, cremation, Bindi
List 3 ways Hinduism was practiced at this time.
Daily worship, temple worship, yearly festival cycle for holy days, Samskaras (sacraments or religious rights of passage ex. marriage), dharma, pilgrimage to holy places, thousands of holy saints (thousands independent institutions).
What justification did the British use to overtake India?
They wanted to “civilize” Indians because they believed their race was superior.
How did Hindus manage to continue practicing Hinduism during the Muslim rule?
Strong/joint family structure for security and survival
Home worship and home festivals could not be eliminated
Foundation of devotion of god and living dharmic (moral order) life
List 3 aspects of society that flourished in the Golden Age of India.
Religion, education, medicine, commerce, science, technology, philanthropy, literature, the arts; Hindu faith advanced through temple building, Bhakti movement, holy texts and great philosophers, saints and sage; Intellectual & artistic sophistication.
What is the difference between culture and heritage?
Culture is the basis of a group of people. Heritage is aspects of culture passed down by groups of people that are preserved.
What was the role of women in ancient times?
Women were educated, they supported their husbands at home and were the head of the household, there were viewed as mentally stronger than men.
In what ways did the British benefit from their rule over India?
Economic exploitation, transferred $45 trillion
Used Indians as workers
In what ways did the Muslim invaders counter Hinduism and Indians?
Destroyed temples and built mosques, destroyed universities, replaced Sanskirt with Urdu.
What was the proof of the Indian Golden Age?
Chinese travelers/monks documented their travels across the country.
What created the basis of Hinduism?
The Vedas
What was the Aryan Invasion Theory?
The Aryan Invasion Theory states that Aryan invaders were the ones who brought the Vedas, caste system, and the language Sanskrit to India.
How was India able to gain independence?
Mahatma Gandhi used nonviolent means of protest to gain independence for India.
How far did Muslim rule spread?
Muslim rule spread to North and Central India, but South India was largely unaffected.
How was India divided during this time?
Empires and regional kingdoms
North vs. South India (Sanskirt-based vs. Tamil-based)
90% in villages