1. India Study Guide Answers
Chapter 5 Assessment-
Thursday, December 19th

2. Vocabulary Reincarnation- the cycle of rebirth
Nirvana- a state of peace in Buddhism where the soul is free from reincarnation
Vedas- The religious poems and texts of the Aryan culture that led to Hinduism
Karma- the affects that good and bad actions have on a person’s soul
Siddhartha- Buddha’s real name when he was a Kshatriya.

3. Vocabulary
Caste System- The Hindu (Aryan) social hierarchy, it placed people in groups based on wealth, birth, or occupation
Four Noble Truths- The main guiding principles in Buddhism (overcoming desire, following the Eightfold Path)
Aryans- This nomadic civilization took over the Indus River Valley after the Harappan. They established the Hindu Caste System.
Himalayas- Mountain range in Northeast India
Buddha- Means “enlightened one.” Buddha disagreed with the Caste System in India.

4. Short Answers: Most of Buddha’s teachings reflected the ideas of another world religion. Which one? Explain.
Hinduism- they both believe in Karma, a form of salvation or heaven (Moksha or Nirvana), Reincarnation, Brahman

5. What are some similarities between Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Ancient India?
They all were on rivers that received silt due to yearly floods.
They all had a social hierarchy (Egypt and Meso. was based on jobs, India was based on the Caste System and karma.)
Similar landforms- desert, mountains

6. How does karma work? (In Hinduism)
Good karma- you can be reincarnated into a higher caste.
Bad karma- you can be reincarnated into a lower caste or even a lower life form.

7. Name two bad things about the Hindu Caste System.
You can’t marry outside of your caste.
Caste is a matter of birth (you can’t change it in that lifetime)
You can’t eat with members of other castes.
Discrimination in ancient times was legal.
If you break a law, you become an untouchable.

8. How did Buddha’s teachings agree and disagree with Hinduism
How did Buddha’s teachings agree and disagree with Hinduism. One for each.
Agree- Both religions believe in karma, reincarnation, Brahman , a type of heaven or salvation
Disagree- Buddhism disagrees with the Caste System

9. Snows from what mountains caused the Indus River to flood?
The Himalayan Mountains

10. What was the first civilization to develop in India
What was the first civilization to develop in India. What do we know about them? Why don’t we know much about them?
The Harappan Civilization
We know they built great cities with fortresses, market places, public wells. They also built their cities on a grid system.
We know they had a type of writing, but we don’t know a lot because we can’t read it.

11. Purusa- The Caste Man Head/Mouth- Brahmins, priests speak the faith
Chest/Arms- Kshatriyas, warriors and rulers (strength)
Belly/Thigh- Vaisyas, farmers and craftspeople (farmers- stomach for food and thighs are the specific jobs the skilled workers do)
Legs/Feet- Sudra, servants who do all the running
Harijan (Untouchable)- not allowed on the body

12. Primary vs. Secondary Review
Are the following sources primary or secondary?
A textbook about Ancient India-
Secondary
The Harappan City of Mohenjo Daro-
Primary
A pieces of Aryan pottery-
A website about the history of the Hindu religion-