Where did the Aryans settle?
Indus River Valley
What is the difference between the beliefs about reincarnation in Hinduism and Buddhism?
Buddhists believe that anyone can escape reincarnation, while Hindus believe that social class could determine escape from reincarnation.
What are the main ideas of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism?
An intentional perspective, honorable actions, and mindfulness will lead to nirvana.
What type of government existed in the Indus Valley Civilization?
Historians do not currently know what type of government existed in the Indus Valley Civilization due to a lack of evidence.
Did a surplus of food lead to more towns forming?
Yes, more towns were formed once there was a surplus of extra food.
True or False
Originally, historians believe that the varnas used to divide responsibilities amongst the ancient Indians and always represented status or power.
False
India is on what continent?
Asia
Who is the popular Hindu god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles that also has the head of an elephant?
Ganesha
What religion incorporates ideas of Hinduism and Islam, while also encouraging its followers to meditate, practice honesty, and treat others equally?
Sikhism
List the eras of ancient Indian history in chronological order.
Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire
Why were Dalits called “Untouchables” by other castes over the course of Indian history?
The other castes believed Dalits were outsiders who were dirty and impure because they sinned in their past lives.
What was a jati?
A job assigned to a person at birth based on their family’s line of work.
Which ancient Indian civilization lived alongside the Indus River and built the ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?
Indus Valley Civilization
According to Buddhist tradition, how did the Buddha reach enlightenment?
He meditated under a fig tree for several weeks.
The Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad-Gita are all famous examples of what type of Indian achievement?
Literature
Which of the following images shows an example of Sanskrit?
Choice D
Name 3 goods that were traded by the people of Mohenjo-Daro.
They traded goods like cotton clothing, jewelry, and pottery.
What jobs were Dalits expected to do within India’s social hierarchy?
Dalits collected garbage, swept streets, and disposed of dead animals.
What is a monsoon?
A wind pattern that influences the climate and leads to wet and dry seasons.
What is moksha?
This is achieved when one is released from the cycle of rebirth.
Why did the Buddha leave his family and home at the age of 29?
He searched for the answers on how to end pain and suffering among people.
Why is Chandragupta Maurya considered an important figure in world history?
He united nearly all of India and formed the first empire across the subcontinent.
How do historians know that the Indus Valley Civilization created a successful trading economy?
Archeologists found several Harappan artifacts, such as their trading seals, in Mesopotamia.
How did the caste system eventually restrict Indians’ freedoms over the course of history?
The caste system limited people’s choices in marriage, friendship, education, and employment around India.
What similarity in the geography of India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia allowed all three ancient civilizations to support large populations?
They were all located near rivers.
What is the ultimate life goal for a person who practices Hinduism?
Recognize that life is an illusion and reunite the atman with Brahman.
What are the Vedas?
A collection of religious hymns, rituals, and other texts that influenced early Hinduism.
When was the “golden age” of ancient India when the economy was strong and the civilization made great advancements in art, literature, math, medicine, metallurgy, and science?
Gupta Empire
What jobs were Dalits expected to do within India’s social hierarchy?
Dalits collected garbage, swept streets, and disposed of dead animals.
After the caste system became restrictive, could a boy in the Brahmin caste marry a girl in the Kshatriya caste?
No. Indians were often not allowed to marry, befriend, work, attend school, or eat meals with people outside of their own caste.
Which body of water, besides typical uses such as irrigation and trade, was also a sacred site in Hinduism?
Ganges River
What are the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism?
All people suffer, suffering is caused by cravings, suffering can be avoided by letting go of cravings, and the way to end suffering is a path followed by the Buddha himself.
In what texts did Hindu scholars present their interpretations and explanations about the Vedas and the main ideas of Hinduism?
Upanishads
What was a major achievement of the Indus Valley Civilization?
They created cities that were organized into grid patterns and equipped with drainage systems including baths and flush toilets.
The higher castes considered themselves
to be “_______ _______” than the lower castes.
More Pure
What are the living conditions of Dalits in India today.
The Indian government banned untouchability, but there is still discrimination against Dalits.
Why were the monsoons important in the lives of the ancient Indians?
The monsoons brought heavy amounts of rainfall to India for agriculture, but also could lead to dangerous floods.
What religion practices nontheism and its followers are committed to values such as nonviolence and vegetarianism?
Jainism
Buddhists who follow the Middle Way find a balance between which two lifestyles?
Poverty & wealth
Why is Ashoka considered an important figure in world history?
He was an emperor who gave up conquest and actively encouraged the spread of Buddhism across South Asia.
Whatare one’s spiritual duties?
Dharma
What is a social order that determines one’s place in Indian society based on family lineage, wealth, and job?
Caste System
Where did the Aryans migrate from ?
North of the Hindu Kush Mountains
Who was the founder of Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama
How does a Hindu follow their dharma?
Hindus follow their dharma through honesty, self-control, nonviolence, and performing their job to the best of their ability.
Sanskrit
language of ancient India
True or False
Under Mauryan rule, a single currency of silver and copper coins was used for business and trade throughout the entire empire.
True
What are the four varnas in India’s social hierarchy?
Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Sudra