Vocabulary of Ancient India

Subcontinent An area separated by physical features from

the rest of the world. In this case, 2 huge mountain ranges separate India from the rest of Asia. One of those ranges is the Himalayas.

How might this be good or bad for people of Ancient India?

monsoon A strong wind that blows in one direction in winter and the

opposite direction in summer. The winter monsoon brings the cold, dry air off the

Himalayan mountains. The summer monsoon brings the warm, wet air from the

Arabian Sea, producing drenching rains that many farmers celebrate.

See map on page 195! http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/images/

061201-india-monsoon_big.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/82355173.html&usg=__bna8sv6RPoBvnlc943a8vfpqiC8=&h=307&w=461&sz=52&hl=en&start=8&sig2=Zp4nFIp6AHpGurE5JXUjag&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=CXBhj0D65czMyM:&tbnh=85&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmonsoon%2Bindia%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=w4IkTczSMsSYnAf8zIDtDQ

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/world/asia/01india.html?_r=1

Sanskrit Written language developed in Ancient India

by the Aryans.

caste A social group that someone is born into and cannot

change. Whatever job your mom and dad have, you will also

have. Lucky for some, very unfortunate for others. Also dictates who you can marry and who you can

hang out with. You don’t spend time with people outside your caste

See the Caste or “Social System” of India on page 200.

Brahmins The name given to priests in Ancient India

reincarnation Rebirth of the soul or spirit in a different body

or different life form over time. A Hindu belief that one will be reborn or

reincarnated as another figure, usually an animal, in their next life. This belief affects how they live their lives.

Dharma In Hinduism, the divine law that requires

people to perform the duties of their caste If you are born to be a farmer, you must farm

according to the beliefs of your religion, and the order bestowed upon you from your gods

nirvana In Buddhism, a state of wisdom and freedom

from the cycle of rebirth. A person can reach this state by giving up all

wordly desires and wants described in the “4 Noble Truths” of Buddhism

Theocracy A type of government used in Ancient India,

headed by religious leaders

stupas A Buddhist shrine that is shaped like a dome

or mound. King Asoka ordered laborers to build

thousands of stupas for him throughout the Ancient World of India

See picture on page 211 in textbook!