Ancient India Vocabulary (Honors)

A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha.

The prince who is said to have founded Buddhism.

Two ancient cities in the Indus River Valley

a large river surrounded by fertile land in modern India/Pakistan.

He founded India's first empire: the Mauryan Empire.

the highest of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally madeup of priests (first level of the caste system)

The warrior and aristocrat varna of the caste system (2nd level of the caste system)

A large landmass that is smaller than a continent

A river of South Asia that flows southeast from the Himalayas tothe Bay of Bengal.

Rainy season in southern Asia when the southwestern monsoonblows, bringing heavy rains

The adoption of cultural traits, such as language, by one groupunder the influence of another.

The rebirth of a soul in a new body

a king or prince in India; a minor chief or dignitary

a great Indian epic poem, reflecting the struggles of theAryans as they moved south into India

LOWEST LEVEL OF INDIAN SOCIETY; not considered a realpart of the caste system; oftne given degrading jobs, terrible life

These mountains separate India from China and are the tallest inthe world.

immigrants who arrived at the Ganges river valley by the year 1000 BC

A Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life

people who seek direct communion with divine forces

The belief that actions in this life, whether good or bad, will decide your place in the next life.

the religious and moral duties of an individual

Religious belief in a divine essence of a "world soul" called Brahman.

Merchants and Businessmen, middle class (third tier of the castesystem)

as taught by the Buddha, the four basic beliefs that form thefoundation of Buddhism

Ancient Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism.