Unit 2 Vocabulary SSWH2

Subcontinent Landmass that is separate from the rest of Asia by the Himalayan Mountains to the northeast and the Thar Desert to the northwest Modern-day nation of India

Indo-Gangetic Plain The strip of fertile farming land that runs across the northern section of the subcontinent. Land is fertile because it is irrigated by the Indus and Ganges Rivers.

Mauryan Empire First major Empire on the Indian subcontinent Emperors Chandragupta Ashoka Ruled land by force. Ashoka eventually followed the teachings of Buddhism

Gupta Empire Second major empire on the Indian subcontinent Emperors Chandra Gupta I Samundra Gupta Chandra Gupta II Expanded wealth through trade and sponsored the arts “Golden Age”

Buddhism Religion focusing on eliminating suffering by eliminating the desire for earthly pleasures. Practices center around the “4 Noble Truths” and finding what is called “The Middle Path” Started by the teachings of Siddhartha “The Buddha” Enlightened one

Nirvana Buddhist “heaven” A place where one is released from pain and suffering after they achieve perfect enlightenment.

Karma A belief shared by Buddhists and Hindus: Buddhists and Hindus view karma differently Basic idea of karma = The total of good deeds and bad deeds committed in a person’s life will determine the caste they are born into in the next life

Brahmin & Brahma Brahmin Brahma Brahmin = the highest class in Aryan / Indian society (priests) Hindu god that created the world

Hinduism Religion that focuses on achieving Moksha A state of perfect understanding Followers believe in reincarnation Karma (good deeds or bad deeds) from previous lives determines what caste a person is born into. Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and many others.

Silk Road The most important route of the large trading that developed between an increasingly rich Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia. Reached into modern-day Russia, China, Europe, and the Middle East. Along with trade goods, Buddhism spread along this route into Asia.