Ancient India

Question 1

How does northern India differ from the rest of the region?

Answer 1

Northern India has the Himilaya mountains and a desert. The rest of the region is fertile.

Question 2

Why is India called a subcontinent?

Answer 2

India is called a subcontinent because it is so large.

Question 3

Where did Harappan civilization develop?

Answer 3

The Harappan civilization developed in northwestern India and Eastern Pakistan.

Question 4

What is one reason that scholars do not completely understand some important parts of Harappan society?

Answer 4

Scholars do not completely understand some important parts of Harappan society because they do not understand the language.

Question 5

How did Harappan artisans and merchants make use of readily available resources?

Answer 5

Harappan artisans and merchants made use of readily available resources like cotton clothing, ivory objects, jewelry, pottery, and high-quality tools for trade and developed a system of weights.

Question 6

What region was a trading partner for the Harappan civilization?

Answer 6

Mesopotamia was a trading partner for the Harappan civilization.

Question 7

What route did traders likely use to get to Mesopotamia?

Answer 7

Traders likely used the Persian Gulf route to get to Mesopotamia.

Question 8

How do historians know about Aryan society?

Answer 8

Historians know about Aryan society because of religious writings called Vedas.
The Vedas were hymns, poems, myths, and rituals passed down and then were written down.

Question 9

What was the main reason for conflict between the Aryan groups?

Answer 9

The main reason for conflict between the Aryan groups were for resources such as rivers and farmlands.
Demand for water and land grew when the Aryan groups moved to an agricultural society.

Question 10

What does the Rigveda include?

Answer 10

The Rigveda includes hymns to praise and honor the gods, and guidance on finding the truth.

Question 11

What role did sacrifice play in Aryan society?

Answer 11

Sacrifice played a vital role in Aryan society, giving chiefs status and closeness with the gods and priests wealth.

Question 12

Why did strict caste rules develop over time?

Answer 12

Strict caste rules developed over time because communities created rules that decided jobs and positions in the caste system.
Each caste developed their own norms preventing inter-caste meals and marriages.

Question 13

What is the largest religion in India today?

Answer 13

Hinduism

Question 14

What is reincarnation?

Answer 14

A Hindu and Buddhist belief that souls are born and reborn many times, each time into a new body.

Question 15

What is karma?

Answer 15

The effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul.

Question 16

What are samskaras?

Answer 16

Rites of passage to prepare a person for a certain event or for their next stage in life.

Question 17

What is Jainism?

Answer 17

An ancient religion that is believed to have existed in India for thousands of years.

Question 18

Who was Mahavira?

Answer 18

Mahavir was born in 599 BC. He was an Indian prince who gave up his luxuries and taught many people about Jainism.

Question 19

What does nonviolence (ahimsa) mean?

Answer 19

The avoidance of violent actions.

Question 20

What is Sikhism?

Answer 20

A monotheistic religion that developed in India in the 1400s.

Question 21

Who was Guru Nanak?

Answer 21

Guru Nanak lived during the AD 1400s and was a teacher. He traveled and came in contact with religions such as Islam and Hinduism.

Question 22

What is fasting?

Answer 22

Going without food.

Question 23

What is meditation?

Answer 23

The focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas.

Question 24

Who was the Buddha?

Answer 24

Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as The Buddha at age 35.

Question 25

What is Buddhism?

Answer 25

A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha.

Question 26

What is nirvana?

Answer 26

A state of perfect peace.

Question 27

What are missionaries?

Answer 27

People who work to spread their religious beliefs.

Question 28

What does the term Buddha mean?

Answer 28

The term Buddha means god or Enlightened One.

Question 29

How did Siddhartha Gautama free his mind and clarify his thinking as he searched for wisdom?

Answer 29

Siddhartha Gautama freed his mind and clarified his thinking as he searched for wisdom by meditating.

Question 30

How are Buddhist teachings different from Hindu teachings?

Answer 30

Buddhist teachings are different from Hindu teachings because in Buddhist teachings it says that you do not have to follow the Vedas to achieve enlightenment and the Buddha challenged the authority of priests.

Question 31

According to the Buddha in his Two Lessons, how can one gain the knowledge of the Middle Path?

Answer 31

Someone can gain the knowledge of the Middle Path by following the Eightfold Path.

Question 32

Why do Buddhists believe that following the Eightfold Path leads to a better life?

Answer 32

Buddhists believe that following the Eightfold Path leads to a better life because that is how to reach nirvana.

Question 33

Into what lands did Buddhism spread?

Answer 33

Buddhism spread into many lands such as India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, Himalayas, Central Asia, Persia, Syria, Egypt, China, Korea, and Japan.

Question 34

What role did missionaries play in spreading Buddhism?

Answer 34

Missionaries played a vital role in spreading Buddhism. They sailed all over to places like India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, Himalayas, Central Asia, Persia, Syria, Egypt, China, Korea, and Japan.

Question 35

How did India's mountains and surrounding water influence its contact with the outside world?

Answer 35

India's mountain ranges, primarily the Himalayas, acted as a natural barrier, limiting contact with the outside world, while the surrounding waters of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal facilitated trade routes.

Question 36

Why did the people of India depend on the summer monsoons?

Answer 36

Farming: Most of ancient India's economy was based on agriculture, and the monsoon rains were crucial for growing crops like rice and wheat. Water source: The monsoon rains replenished water sources like rivers and groundwater, providing drinking water for communities. Predictable cycle: The seasonal nature of the monsoon allowed farmers to plan their planting and harvesting schedules with some certainty.

Question 37

How do archaeologists know that Mohenjo-Daro was carefully planned?

Answer 37

Because the streets were laid out in a grid-like pattern.

Question 38

How is Hinduism different from other religions?

Answer 38

It lacks a single founder or holy book, with a strong emphasis on the concept of Dharma (duty) and the cycle of reincarnation.

Question 39

When the Aryan and Indian cultures blended, which religion was created?

Answer 39

Hinduism

Question 40

What does the Hindu belief of reincarnation say about faithful believers?

Answer 40

Faithful and strong believers of Hinduism will be born into a higher caste in their next life, eventually working towards achieving 'moksha' (freedom from the cycle of rebirth) and escaping the cycle of reincarnation.

Question 41

What did Buddha say was the cure for human pain and suffering?

Answer 41

The desire for material things that one cannot attain.

Question 42

Like many Egyptian pharaohs, what type of ruling philosophy did the Indian emperor Chandragupta believe in?

Answer 42

Absolute Power

Question 43

Why is Asoka considered one of India's greatest leaders?

Answer 43

He renounced war and embraced Buddhism, spreading a message of peace and tolerance throughout his empire, promoting religious freedom, and focusing on the welfare of his people, building hospitals, roads, and wells for travelers.

Question 44

What are two important rivers that start in the Himalayan Mountains?

Answer 44

The Indus and Ganges Rivers

Question 45

What are winds that bring heavy rainfall called?

Answer 45

Monsoons

Question 46

What is a division of people in groups based on birth, wealth and occupation called?

Answer 46

The Caste System

Question 47

What do Hindus believe about death?

Answer 47

Reincarnation

Question 48

Who founded the Mauryan Empire?

Answer 48

Chandragupta Maurya

Question 49

What is the focusing of the mind on spiritual things called?

Answer 49

Meditation

Question 50

What are people who work to spread their religious beliefs called?

Answer 50

Missionaries

Question 51

What is nonviolence in the context of achieving change?

Answer 51

Ahimsa; using only peaceful ways to achieve change.

Question 52

Who converted to Buddhism while he was ruler of the Mauryan Empire?

Answer 52

Asoka

Question 53

What is a mixture of metals called?

Answer 53

Alloy

Question 54

What caused floods on the Indus River, and what was the result?

Answer 54

Melting of heavy snows in the Himalayas; left behind layers of silt, making the land ideal for farming.

Question 55

How do people use the Ganges River?

Answer 55

They use the river to irrigate their crops, for transportation, and to generate hydroelectric power.

Question 56

Why is the Harappan culture considered a civilization?

Answer 56

Had well-planned cities with technical advances, a writing system, and division of labor as shown by a wide range of objects created.

Question 57

What is the Hindu Kush?

Answer 57

A mountain range of northwest India.

Question 58

What is grama?

Answer 58

A community made up of many family members.

Question 59

Who were the Brahmins and what role did they play in Vedic society?

Answer 59

Priests; highest class in society.

Question 60

How do Hindus believe karma affects reincarnation?

Answer 60

Karma determines if you are reborn into a higher or lower caste.

Question 61

How did Buddhism grow and change after Buddha died?

Answer 61

Missionaries spread Buddhism all across Asia

Question 62

What was Chandragupta Mauryas' greatest accomplishment?

Answer 62

seized control of northern India and by so doing founded the Mauryan Empire

Question 63

How did the Gupta Empire end?

Answer 63

The Hun armies invaded the country

Question 64

In which language did mauryan and Gupta authors write in?

Answer 64

Sanskrit