Hinduism Hinduism has no single founder and no single sacred text. It grew out of the beliefs of the diverse groups who settled in India. In Hinduism, salvation is achieved through a spiritual oneness of the soul.

Buddhism Buddhism Buddhism developed in India, and is based on many of the core concepts of Hinduism and on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama.

Siddhartha Gautama’s found the religion Buddhism. His teachings eventually spread across Asia. He explained the Four Noble Truths which are: All life is full of suffering, pain and sorrow. The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are really illusions such as riches, power and long life. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire. The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.

Chandragupta and Asoka Chandragupta was a young adventurer who first gained his power in the Ganges Valley. He then conquered northern India. His grandson Asoka was the most honored Maurya emperor. His rule brought peace and prosperity and helped unite the diverse people within his empire. He built roads and rest houses for travelers. After his death, Maurya power declined.

Kingdoms of the Deccan The Deccan was divided into many kingdoms, each with its own capital. The Tamil kingdoms which occupied much of the southernmost part of India, were sometimes ruled by queens. Trade was important to the Tamil kingdoms. They have left a rich and diverse literature, poets would describe fierce wars and heroic deeds as well as ordinary routines of their daily life.

Caste System Caste was linked to Hindu beliefs. To them, people in different castes were different species of beings. Complex caste rules governed every aspect of life-where people lived,what the ate and how they dressed. The caste system gave people a sense of identity. Each caste had its own occupation and its own leaders.

Golden Age of the Guptas About 500 years after the Mauryas, the Gupta dynasty united much of India. Emperors organized a strong central government that promoted peace and prosperity. Trade and farming flourished across the Gupta empire.

Family Life Family Life The ideal family was the joint family in which parents children, grandchildren and their offspring shared a common dwelling. Children learned their family duties from an early age. Children worked with older relatives in the fields or at a family trade. A woman’s duty was to marry, show devotion to her husband and raise children. Women had few rights within the family and society.

Confucius Confucius was a brilliant scholar who hoped to become an adviser to a local ruler. He took little interest in religious matters. Instead he developed a philosophy that was concerned with worldly goals. He put filial piety, or respect for parents, above all other duties. In the centuries after Confucius died, his ideas influenced every area of Chinese life.

Daoism Daoism The founder of Daoism was known as Laozi, or “old master.” He is credited with writing The Way of Virtue, a book that had a large influence on Chinese life. Daoists sough to live in harmony with nature. They viewed government as unnatural and the cause of many problems. Gradually, people blended Confucian and Daoist teachings. People took beliefs and practices from each. Confucianism showed them how to behave. Daoism influences their view of the natural world.

Shi Huangdi Emperor Shi Huangdi abolished feudalism in China. His most remarkable achievement was the Great Wall. It became an important symbol to the Chinese people, dividing and protecting their civilized world.

The most famous Han emperor, Wudi, took China to new heights. He strengthened the government and economy. He followed a policy of expansionism by increasing the amount of territory under Chinese rule. He fought many battles to expand China’s border. He also opened up a trade route called the Silk Road, that would link China and the west for centuries.

Silk Road Silk Road Emperor Wudi opened up a trade route, later called the Silk Road, that linked China and the west. New foods such as grapes, cucumbers and walnuts went to China from western Asia. Eventually, the Silk Road stretched for 4,000 miles, linking China to the Fertile Crescent in southwestern Asia.

The Han period was one of the golden ages of Chinese civilization. Han scientists wrote texts on chemistry, zoology and botany. Chinese physicians diagnosed diseases, experimented with herbal remedies and other drugs. Han China was the most technologically advanced civilization in the world.

Regents exam questions Regents exam questions 1. The terms Brahma, Dharma, and Moksha are most closely associated with which religion? (1)Judaism (3) Hinduism (2)Islam (4) Anism 2. -Art and literature flourished during the Gupta Empire. -Indian scholars developed the concept of zero -Indian provinces were united after 200 years of war. The information in these statements refer to: (1)Effects of European involvement in India (2)India’s Golden Age (3)Effects of isolationism (4)Islamic achievements in India

3.One similarity between the Gupta dynasty in India and the Tang dynasty in China is that each dynasty (1)Promoted equality for religion (2) made advances in the arts, science and mathematics (2) made advances in the arts, science and mathematics (3) Gained overseas colonies (4) Developed a representative government 4. The use of the Silk Road in Asia and caravan routes in northern Africa and southwestern Asia encouraged (1) Self efficiency (3) ethnocentrism (2)Cultural isolation (4) cultural diffusion 5. The five relationships taught by Confucius encouraged people to (1) Improve their position in life (2) Maintain social and political order (3) Respect and worship nature (4) Serve the needs of religious people

Answer Key: 1. (3) 2. (2) 3. (4) 4. (2) 5. (2)

By: Kaila Calabrese By: Kaila Calabrese