I Was Born This Way
Alongside Hinduism grew this system of social organization. People were strictly divided according to their role and their occupation.
What is the Caste System?
This ancient civilization, with its advanced city planning, complicated language, and government system, had mysteriously vanished by 1200 BC.
What is the Indus Valley Civilization?
The ancient writing system and language of the Indo-Aryans, and the ancestor of all modern Indian languages.
What is Sanskrit?
The goal of both Hindus and Buddhists is to break the cycle of this, which is the belief that souls are reborn into a new body after they die.
What is reincarnation?
Though the pieces would later be re-named, this common board game has its origins in the Gupta Empire.
What is Chess?
To do what is right, in Hinduism, according to your role in society and in your family, is to follow this:
What is Dharma?
This unusual weather pattern gives the Indian Subcontinent both a very dry season and a very, very wet season, with almost constant rain for several months.
What is a monsoon?
The oldest Sanskrit writings that we have, these ancient texts show us the origins and early beliefs of Hinduism.
What are the Vedas?
Breaking from his rich and powerful family, this prince gained Enlightenment after a long period of learning and meditation.
Who is Siddhartha Gautama/The Buddha?
This empire is known for reuniting India after the Maurya empire broke into pieces.
What is the Gupta Empire?
A basic belief of Hinduism is that all things are a part of this greater consciousness, the universe, or God.
What is Brahman?
This mountain range, including the highest mountains in the world, separates India from China.
What are the Himalayas?
These commentaries on the Vedas were later added by Gurus, creating the first Hindu sacred texts.
What are the Upanishads?
This Maurya ruler broke tradition when he embraced Buddhism, including its emphasis on peace and personal redemption, as the way his empire should be governed.
Who is Asoka Maurya?
According to legend, this Maurya Emperor may have killed his own brothers to gain the throne.
Who is Asoka Maurya?
The Gupta Empire was known for giving this status to some of its people, giving them legal rights and responsibilities.
What is Citizenship?
The spread of Buddhism out of India led to its division into these two groups. One focused on Buddha's wisdom, and the other on his compassion.
What are Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are two examples of this type of literature, bringing the ideals of Hinduism to the common people.
What are Epic Poems?
After a lifetime of conquest, imperial rule, and maybe even fratricide, Chandragupta Maurya had had enough of looking for enemies around every corner. He gave up all his possessions, and went to live in one of these.
What is a Monastery?
Who is Alexander the Great?
The lowest of the four castes, according to the Vedas
What are Sudras?
The source of all suffering, according to Buddhism, and a bringer of bad karma, according to Hinduism.
What are selfish desires?
The system of medicine developed during the Gupta Empire.
What is Ayurveda?
This series of guidelines for thoughts and behavior is meant to guide Buddhists toward achieving Nirvana.
What is the Eightfold Path?
This kingdom in Eastern India caused trouble for Maurya emperors; Chandragupta couldn't conquer it, and his grandson's attempt led to a complete change of lifestyle.
What is Kalinga?