Subcontinent
A large landmass that is smaller than a continent.
Monsoons
Seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons.
Sanskrit
The most important language of ancient India.
Caste System
Divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation.
Hinduism
The largest religion in India today.
Reincarnation
This process of rebirth.
Karma
the effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul.
Jainism
Based on the teachings of a man named Mahavira.
Nonviolence
The avoidance of violent actions.
Fasting
Going without food.
Meditation
The focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas.
The Buddha
The Enlightened One.
Buddhism
A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha.
Nirvana
A state of perfect peace.
Missionaries
People who work to spread their religious beliefs.
Candragupta Maurya
Seized control of the entire northern part of India.
Asoka
Candragupta’s grandson. Became king.
Candra Gupta ll
Took the throne in India.
Metallurgy
The science of working with metals.
Alloys
Mixes of two or more metals.
Hindu- Arabic Numerals
The very numbers we use today.
Inoculation
Injecting a person with a small dose of a virus to help him or her build up defenses to a disease.
Astronomy
The study of stars and planets.