Ancient India Study Guide

What typically characterizes a monsoon?

• Light showers and mild breezes

• Seasonal wind patterns that bring significant changes in weather

• Constant high humidity throughout the year

• Consistent temperatures without rain

During which season is a monsoon typically wet in India?

• Winter

• Summer

• Spring

• Autumn

What makes the winter monsoon different from the summer monsoon?

• It brings more rainfall

• It brings cooler, drier winds

• It lasts longer

• It creates flooding in rural areas

Why are monsoons significant to Indian agriculture?

• They provide essential heat for crops

• They deliver crucial rainfall for irrigation

• They help prevent soil erosion

• They reduce the risk of crop diseases

What does "irrigate" mean in the context of farming?

• To supply water to crops

• To expose crops to direct sunlight

• To fertilize the soil

• To drain excess water from fields

Which ancient cities were central to the Indus Valley Civilization?

• Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

• Ganges and Indus

• Hormuz and Babylon

• Indus and Brahmaputra

How was the caste system structured in ancient India?

• It allowed movement between social groups

• It divided people into hierarchical groups by birth

• It was based solely on wealth

• It was determined by physical appearance

What was a Sudra in the caste system expected to do?

• Serve as warriors or rulers

• Work as laborers and servants

• Perform priestly duties

• Engage in trade and business

If someone in the Sudra caste performed bad deeds, what might happen in the next life according to Hinduism?

What is another term for a pariah in the caste system?

• A) Brahmin

• B) Untouchable

• C) Merchant

• D) Priest