India Flashcards
(38 cards)
Match the years to the Historical events
a. Aryan Invasion of India 1. 535
b. Vedic Age 2. 269-232
c. Epic Age 3. 322-298
d. Reign of Changdragupta 4. 1000-600
e. Reign of Ashoka 5. 1500-1000
f. Fall of Gupta-Invasion of Hun 6. 1600 bce
a. Aryan Invasion of India 6.
b. Vedic Age 5.
c. Epic Age 4.
d. Reign of Changdragupta 3.
e. Reign of Ashoka 2.
f. Fall of Gupta-Invasion of Hun 1.
Who established the first empire on the Indian subcontinent ?
Changdragupta
The civilizatioin that followed the Aryans has a cultural rivalry betweenn Hindu __________ and Buddhist ___________ .
Brahmans and Monks
The ______ mountains separate India from East Asia.
Himalayan
What links India to the Mid-East ?
Khyber Pass aka Northwest Passage.
Economic activity in the North revolves around _________
Herding-pastoralist
Economic activity in the South revolves around _________
Trading and Seafaring-Maritime
Which two rivers in India spawned early civilizations ?
Ganges W/E “Holy River”
Indus N/S
What is the Monsoon ?
Seasonal winds crossing India and Asia during summer
It brings torrential rains during the summer.
What happened in the Vedic Age ?
1500-1000 bce
Aryan migrants use iron tools to clear vegetation Agriculture expands from Indus into Ganges River Valley Vedas composed (1200-700 bce)
What are the Vedas ?
Aryan Hymns–conveyed knowledge
Describe the Epic Age
1000-600 bce 3 Epics composed: Rig Veda (1028 Hymns for Aryan Gods) Mahabarrata (Greatest Epic Poem) Ramayana (Reflects growth in agricultural society and political units), i.e. literature reflecting society
What was Sanskrit ?
The sacred and classical Indian language.
Describe Aryan caste system
Brahmans (priests) Kshatriyas (warriors) Vaisyas (Traders/merchants) Sudras (Unskilled workers) Untouchables (outcasts)
What does Rig Veda say about caste system ?
It attributes caste system to the Gods
Brahman was his mouth, of his arms was made the warrior-His thighs became the vasiya, of his feet were born the sudra
What do you believe the excerpt from the Rig Veda says about the Aryan views on society ?
It shows that God mandated a societal system that benefitted the few at the cost of the many….also that you should accept your place in society because God created the caste system
During the Epic Age, Brahmans replaced warriors at the top of the social class T or F
True
Alexander the Great invaded Northwest India in ________ and established a border state called ______
327-325
Bactria
Who controlled India prior to the invasion of Alexander ?
No one person controlled; many major states
In 322 bce, Chandragupta Maruya seized control of _______
Ganges River Valley
What is the chief political advisor of Chandragupta Maurya ?
Kautilya
What was a special feature of Chandragupta’s military ?
Chariots and elephant borne soldiers
What are some major features of Chandragupta’s reign ?
Began Maurya Dynasty
First to unify much of indian sub continent
Likely borrowed political system from Alexander/Persians
Created substantial bureaucracy and postal system
Why did Chandragupta emphasize security
People were plotting against him
