Geography & Early Civilizations
What mountain range formed when the Indian subcontinent collided with Asia?
The Himalayas
What language did Aryan priests use for their rituals and hymns?
Sanskrit
What is karma?
A person’s actions that determine their next life
Who founded Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
What ruler helped spread Buddhism throughout Asia?
Asoka
Why are monsoons important to India’s development?
They bring summer rains that provide water for agriculture
What sacred texts recorded Aryan beliefs and rituals?
The Vedas
What do Hindus call the universal spirit that all gods and living things are part of?
Brahman
What are the Four Noble Truths mainly about?
The causes and end of human suffering
Which empire is remembered as India’s “Golden Age”?
The Gupta Empire
What were the two major rivers of northern India that supported early civilization?
The Indus and the Ganges Rivers
What was the social system that divided people into rigid hereditary groups?
The caste system
What is the ultimate goal for Hindus?
To end the cycle of rebirth and unite with Brahman
What is nirvana?
The state of perfect peace and release from the cycle of rebirth
Who was the first ruler to unite most of India?
The Gupta Empire
What made the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro unique compared to other ancient cities?
They were among the world’s first planned cities with drainage systems and standardized bricks
What religion developed out of Aryan beliefs and practices?
Hinduism
What is the spiritual poem found within the Mahabharata that teaches duty and righteousness?
The Bhagavad Gita
How did Buddhism spread beyond India?
Missionaries sent by Asoka carried Buddhist teachings to other countries
What scientific and mathematical achievements came from India during the Gupta Empire?
Development of the numeral system, concept of zero, and calculating the solar year
What likely caused the end of the Harappan civilization?
Earthquakes, river changes, and declining monsoon rainfall that ruined agriculture
Who were the Aryans?
Nomadic herders from Central Asia who migrated into India around 1500 BC
What two epic poems are important to Hinduism?
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana
What is the Eightfold Path?
A guide for living a balanced, moral life to reach enlightenment
What lasting contributions did ancient India make to world culture?
Major advances in medicine, mathematics, architecture, and religion (Hinduism & Buddhism)