Ancient India Vocabulary

Migrate Definition: movement from one area to another, usually due to famine, war, government, economic changes… Connect: Aryans migrated to the Indus Valley

Subcontinent Definition: a large land mass geographically separated from the rest of the continent. Connect: India is a subcontinent, separated from Asia by Himalaya Mountains.

monsoon Definition – seasonal winds that bring heavy rains Connect – Indus Valley farmers depended on the rains to help irrigate their land

Caste System Definition: social class system of India (Hinduism, in particular) Connect: jobs were based on which caste a person was born into; Brahmans were at the top; Untouchables (outcasts) not acknowledged

Reincarnation Definition: cycle of birth, death, and rebirth Connect: Belief of Hindus and Buddhists

Dharma Definition: duties and rules for life/social status in Hindu religion Connect: Hindus believe if you follow your dharma, you can be reborn in a higher caste.

Karma Definition: force caused by good and bad acts – your future is affected by them! Connect: Hindus and Buddhists believe in this idea.

Monk Definition: A man dedicated to service and religion. Connect: Monks followed Buddha and still teach about Buddhism.

Convert Definition: to change, usually to change religions. Connect: Asoka converted to Buddhism due to violence.

goods Definition – things that are produced for people to buy Connect – Indus Valley people made goods from ivory, copper, and grain

Impact on supply and demand Definition – things like technology, climate, weather, natural disasters, war that affect amount available and amount wanted Connect – Floods, drought, war, and irrigation impacted the amount of food supply in the Indus Valley

Civilization Definition: people with government, religion, economics, artisans, technology, and social classes. Connect: Indus Valley was a civilization.

Write three ways the physical geography of ancient India shaped the development of its civilization. Geographical FeatureImpact Indus RiverWhen it flooded, it left behind “good dirt” for better farming Indus RiverPeople could settle close to drinking water and irrigation water Himalaya Mountains/Hindu KushKept invaders out or made it harder for invaders Himalaya Mountains/Hindu KushIsolated Indus Valley from trading opportunities  Indian OceanKept invaders out or made it harder for invaders MonsoonsBrought rain to crops and to flood the Indus River Indus RiverWhen it flooded, it could wipe out crops and homes 

List some accomplishments of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Large city (Over 35,000 people!) Even and paved streets (grid pattern) Strong central government Citadel (walled fortress) in each city Baths Writing Toilet system Tools of copper and bronze Same size of bricks on buildings Standard system of weights and measurement Garbage chutes Large storage bins for grain

List some facts about Hinduism. Polytheism (many gods/goddesses) Caste system important Many paths to follow Vedas – holy book Dharma – duties Karma Reincarnation Sanskrit – old language – used for religion Began as a mixture of Aryan ideas/beliefs and the Indus Valley people who were already in India

List some facts about Buddhism. Started in India by a prince (Siddhartha Gautama) All equal, nonviolence Not as popular in India because of belief of all being equal (the top caste people wanted to keep caste system) Spread to many other parts of the world Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path Middle Way Search to end suffering Reach Nirvana (Ultimate Peace)

Buddhism: Eightfold Path

Accomplishments of the Maurya Empire Strong Army Well-Run Government Efficient Postal System Spread of Buddhism (Ashoka) Hospitals for People and Animals Great Roads that stretched all the way to the Mediterranean Sea (TRADE!) Many stupas (Buddhist shrines) for worship

Accomplishments of the Gupta Empire Famous literature (epics) Temples for worship & stone pillars with Buddhist messages Math Concepts: Algebra, Infinity, Symbol for Nothing (the number ZERO – “0”) Arab Numerals 1 through 9 (we use today!) Science Concepts: Earth is round; Earth revolves around the sun Advanced metalworking Had advanced doctors: dental surgery and tools, medical instruments for doctors, plastic surgery, herbal medicines

What geographical feature did the people of India first settle by like the other ancient civilizations? Water (A RIVER)

Label the chart with the correct religion from the Fertile Crescent. IslamJudaismChristianity Belief in one God Muhammad founder Abraham founderJesus is important Koran holy bookTorah holy bookBible holy book

Egypt Review: The Egyptian __PHARAOHS___ united Egypt into a __CENTRALIZED___ government. The people worked together to build __PYRAMIDS___ and __CANALS__.

List the three branches of government in the United States. Legislative Judicial Executive

Maps Label: –Fertile Crescent –Ancient Egypt –Indus Valley