South Asia: History Study Guide

Match each vocabulary word to the correct definition.

• a center of civilization from which idea

• cultural hearth

• a center of civilization from which idea

• empire

• 
  a god or goddess, according to religion

• colonialism

• 
  control by one power over an area/peopl

• deity

Match each vocabulary word to the correct definition.

• displace

• the nonviolent disobeying of laws
• tolerance

• 
  sympathy for beliefs or practices differing from one’s own

• reincarnation

• 
  to force to flee from a homeland

• civil disobedience

• 
  the belief that a soul can be reborn in a new body

Identify and Explain: What major geographical features of South Asia made it a good place for civilization to develop, and why?

What is the caste system?

• A social hierarchy in India

• A type of government

• A religious belief system

• An economic model

What are the three major historic empires of South Asia?

• Maurya, Gupta, Mughal

• Chola, Vijayanagara, Maratha

• Kushan, Satavahana, Pallava

• Harsha, Pala, Chalukya

How did colonialism in India limit its economic growth?

• By promoting local industries and businesses

• By investing heavily in infrastructure and education

• By exploiting resources and suppressing local industries

• By encouraging technological innovation and development

What strategy did Mohandas Gandhi use to help gain India’s independence from the British?

• Non-violent resistance

• Armed rebellion

• Diplomatic negotiations

• Economic sanctions

How did Partition cause conflict among Indian people?

• It led to mass migrations and violence between communities.

• It resulted in economic prosperity for all regions.

• It strengthened the unity among different religious groups.

• It caused a significant decrease in population.

Which religion is most widely practiced in South Asia, and what is one of its beliefs?

• Hinduism - Belief in karma

• Islam - Belief in the Five Pillars

• Buddhism - Belief in the Four Noble Truths

• Christianity - Belief in the Holy Trinity

According to some historians, what are some possible causes for the decline of the Harappan civilization?

• Invasion by foreign tribes

• Natural disasters

• Decline in trade

• All of the above