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WorksheetsAncient India - Part 1
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 10mins
The earliest complex society or civilization in India developed
in the Indus River valley beginning around 3000 BCE.
along the Ganges River beginning around 1000 BCE.
only after the migration of Indo-Europeans into the Indian subcontinent around 1700 BCE.
in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush.
Much of Harappan history remains a mystery primarily because
constant political turmoil in the Indus region has prevented substantial excavation of Harappan sites.
the written language of the Harappan people has yet to be translated.
their capital city, and most Harappan written records, were destroyed during Alexander’s invasion.
the Aryans undertook a systematic destruction of Harappan written records upon their arrival in India.
Which of the following best describes what is known about Harappan political structure?
the Harappan Empire was highly centralized and relied on an extensive bureaucracy to govern its dominions
the Harappans were a loosely-organized confederation of city states
the Harappans shared a common culture but there is little evidence regarding their exact political structure
the Harappans lived in large city states that were constantly at war with one another
All of the following were true of Harappan society except
many of their dwellings featured indoor plumbing.
they engaged in maritime traded with the ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians
their material culture and cities show evidence of social stratification
they were monotheists who worshipped the god Indra
The most likely reason for the decline of Harappan civilization after 1500 BCE was
a devastating plague that decimated the population.
the shifting and drying-up of rivers in the Punjab region due to changes in the monsoons.
an organized military invasion by a vast army of Aryan cavalry.
a massive civil war between various Harappan city-states.
All of the following were characteristics of the ancient Aryans at the time they first entered India EXCEPT
they were organized as tribal chiefdoms of pastoral nomads
they entered India as an organized military force bent on conquest and plunder
they prized horses and cattle and used four-wheeled carts in battle
they were a violent people who worshipped a powerful storm god as their chief deity
The most important aspect of Aryan religion during the early Vedic Era (1500-1000 BCE) was
the proper performance of rituals and sacrifices by a priestly elite.
an strict ethical code of conduct to be followed by all Aryan people.
a highly personalized religion emphasizing the worship of ancestors by family patriarchs.
a strict monotheism devoted to the worship of an unknowable heavenly power.
Which of the following reflects the early Aryan varna or caste hierarchy from highest rank to lowest rank?
brahmins, kshatriyas, shudras, vaishyas
brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras
kshatriyas, brahmins, vaishyas, shudras
kshatriyas, vaishyas, brahmins, shudras
Which of the following best describes the general progression of historical events in northern India in the late Vedic Age (between 1000 and 500 BCE)?
Aryan expansion eastward into the Ganges Valley eventually saw the rise of numerous large city-states across that region
Aryan religious practices became increasingly ritualistic and devoid of any spiritual or ethical meaning for the common people
general peace prevailed across the region as the powerful Aryan empire successfully kept rival chiefdoms at bay
the Harappans rallied and launched a successful campaign to drive the Aryan invaders out of India
Means “land of the five rivers”
Maghda
Gandhara
Punjab
Ganges
Collections of hymns, poems, and rituals honoring ancient Aryan gods
Varnas
Ratha
Mahabharata
Vedas
Sacred language of the ancient Aryans
Prakit
Hindi
Sanskrit
Aryanese
Largest of Harappan cities and site of the "Great Bath"
Harappa
Mohenjo-Daro
Lothal
Taxila
Aryan caste that eventually included cultivators, artisans, and merchants
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
Used by emperor Ashoka to communicate imperial laws and pronouncements across northern India
The Rock and Pillar Edicts
The Behistun Inscription
The Rosetta Stone
The Oracle Bones
