Key Terms - Ancient India

What was the largest city of the Indus Valley civilization?

• Harappa

• Mohenjo-Daro

• Lothal

• Dholavira

What does the term "migrating" mean?

• Staying in one place

• Moving from one place to another

• Building a home

• Growing crops

Who were the Aryans?

• Farmers from Africa

• Traders from the Middle East

• Nomads from Europe and Asia

• Warriors from South America

What are the Vedas?

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

• A collection of modern Indian poetry.

• A type of traditional Indian dance.

• A famous Indian epic.

What is Sanskrit?

• An Indo-European, Indic language used as the religious and classical literary language of India.

• A modern Indian dialect spoken in urban areas.

• A type of Indian cuisine.

• A traditional Indian garment.

What is oral tradition?

• Literature that passes by word of mouth from one generation to the next.

• A written record of historical events.

• A type of ancient Indian script.

• A modern storytelling technique using digital media.

What does the term "varna" refer to in India's caste system?

• The four major social divisions: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra.

• A type of Indian festival.

• A traditional Indian musical instrument.

• A popular Indian dish.

What is 'jati' in the caste system?

• A type of food

• A sub-varna that gave people a sense of community

• A form of government

• A type of dance

What does the caste system determine?

• Only a person's favorite color

• Only a person's hobbies

• A person's occupation, economic potential, and position in society

• A person's favorite food

What is Hinduism characterized by?

• A belief in a single form of government

• A belief in reincarnation and a supreme being who takes many forms

• A belief in only one god

• A belief in no gods