The Aryans and Hinduism

Which two theories are used to explain the origins of the Aryan Peoples? (two answers)

• They came from a region Northwest of India and crossed over the mountains into the Indus River Valley before 2000 b.c.

• They originated within India itself

• They originated in Anatolia and mograted east into the indus River Valley around 1800 b.c.

• They came from the Tibetan Plateau and began to settle India's Ganges Plain around 2500 b.c.

The Aryan caste system included (in order of prestige)-

• Priests, Warriors, Landowners, Peasants

• Kings, Nobles, Priests, Peasants

• Warriors, Priests, Landowners, Peasants

• Priests, Kings, Nobles, Landowners, Peasants

The Aryan Caste System was based on-

• wealth

• occupation

• civic exams

• luck

Which statement best identifies the "untouchables"?

• people who lived outside of India's caste system because their work was thought to be impure

• people who lived at the top of India's Caste System- Kings and Queens who were "too pure" to touch

• foreigners who were not a part of Indian culture or religion- they could be" touched" or included in any formal events

Which was the first powerful Aryan Kingdom?

• The Kingdom of Magadha

• The Mughal Empire

• The Tamil Kingdom

• The Kingdom of Harappa

Which statement best identifies Hinduism?

• A collection of religious beliefs that developed slowly over a thousand years in India

• religion founded by "the Guru" around 1000 b.c. whose teachings were recorded in the Vedas

• a religion formed by the blending of Buddhism and Jainism in India around 500 b.c.

Which statement best identifies the Mahabharata?

• It is an epic poem written during the time of the Aryans detailing the struggles of the Aryan Kings who attempted to rule India

• It is one of the Vedas- the primary religious texts of Hinduism

• It is a large Island in the Indian Ocean were the Aryan believed the Hindu Gods lived

• The is an early piece of literature that details the life of the Aryan Prince who would become known as "The Buddha."

What were the Upanishads?

• The recorded discourses between Hindu teachers and students discussing old Vedic Hymns

• The recording of several sacred Vedic Hymns and songs

• the teachings of the Buddha as recorded by one of his students

How are the Upanishads related to the Vedas and Hinduism?

• They are used to teach the basics of Hindu religion as interpreted from the Vedas

• they are not related to either

• they are all written in the undecipherable Indus Civilization style of writing similar to cuneiform

• the vedas are used to teach the Upanishads by Hindu Priests called Brahmins

What are reincarnation and Karma?

• reincarnation is the continued rebirth of one's soul until moksha is achieved, Karma is positive or negative energy gained through good or bad deeds done in life that influences reincarnation

• reincarnation is the ability to choose where your spirit will rest after death, Karma is the good or bad luck you earn in life

• reincarnation is the funeral practice of Hindus in wich bodies are cremated, Karma is the process of the soul being reborn into another body