Test your basic knowledge |

Ancient India Trivia

Subjects : trivia, history
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The ... were being a student - becoming a householder - 'going to the forest' - and finally - becoming a wandering holy man. (remember to write the word wandering)






2. The culture that formed in the remains of Harappa after the civilization was over.






3. A ... is a sage






4. City in earlyIndia that focused on ships and sea trade. 30 miles away from the Arabian Sea. Known as a port city with a dockyard.






5. Term for: Movement






6. Was Rama's father who died when he was forced to complete his dharma by banishing Rama.






7. The Greek ambassador who described details fromIndia to the Hellenistic empire. He was from the seleucid empire.






8. Were the texts on dharma - which were made by Brahmin Scholars.






9. The word for 'pure' - which was used to describe the Aryans.






10. The extended word for Jana that warriors called themselves when they settled in the Ganga Valleys.






11. Powerful groups of warriors and rulers who were second on the Aryan Caste system. Represented Purusha's arms.






12. The ... were Buddha's teachings on how to attain enlightenment and nirvana - through disregarding all desires.






13. Was Rama's half brother who took the throne when Rama was banished.






14. A book of hymns that explains the importance of Brahmins and many otherIndian creation stories - etc.






15. A Pandava Prince who is known for his might and for being the middle brother. He was in the dilemma of killing his family or killing himself. He took advice from his chariot driver - without knowing it as Krishna.






16. A ... is a teacher of religion who has followers.






17. The religion that most people with power practiced was called ... It was modified to satisfy it's followers - so that they would not leave and join another religeon.






18. EarlyIndian civilization that had two large thick walls surrounding the city as a form of protection from invaders or natural disasters. Had a citadel which they most likely used as a last resort for safety - when fleeing from potential invaders.






19. Is the most famous story in the Mahabharata. It is also known as - 'The Song of the Lord'.






20. Was the evil king of Lanka (Modern Day: Sri Lanka) who abducted Sita from Rama.






21. A follower of Hinduism is known as ...






22. A form of prayer and meditation that has the goal of divine union.






23. Were souls that people aimed to free. This concept came from Jainism.






24. The king who is recognized inIndian epics. He was the firstIndian King and ruled over Manwantara. However - the first 6 kings may have also gone by this name. (this is unclear to historians) He was led by a fish who he saved to the Himalaya Mountains






25. Slaves who were represented as Purusha's feet in the Aryan Caste System.






26. Represented non-violence to all living things and was taught toIndia by Nataputta Vardhamana.






27. Is the definition for a Great Warrior






28. Was the principal of tolerance for other views






29. Was the concept of respect toward all living things and extreme self-denial. It tried to diminish several characteristics inIndia such as greed - and also urged its followers to act honorably - as well as accept other people's opinions and perspectiv






30. Were threads that were used to orally record the Buddha's teachings.






31. The book explaining how one could get pleasure (kama) was called ...






32. Was one of the more powerful inIndia - around the 16th century.






33. A ... was a person who could take complete control over their senses.






34. The ... were Buddha's teachings on how to attain enlightenment and nirvana - through disregarding all desires.






35. Term for: enlightened one






36. Survival






37. The time period of the two main epics - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.






38. The religion that most people with power practiced was called ... It was modified to satisfy it's followers - so that they would not leave and join another religeon.






39. Represents oneness with Brahman and is achieved through meditation. It exists above all the Varnas.






40. Were those classified as impure and polluters. They were below shudras.






41. These guidelines advised small kingdoms survive in politics.






42. Commanded Brahma to create the world.






43. Sankrit word for cheifs (who ruled over major Aryan groups)






44. (Sanskrit: amitroghata- Greek: Amitrochates) 'the destroyer of foes' He was the son of Chandragupta who lived from 297 B.C.E until 272 B.C.E






45. Early houses were built by this river. Melted ice and snow flowed into this river and reached the Arabian Sea. Located in a valley.






46. The Pandava Prince who was under the dilemma of fighting against his family.






47. The four texts that were chanted and passed down by generation and taught about the Aryan gods - gave instructions for rituals - and explained the start of the universe.






48. Was the religion that Brahmins made - based off of modifications from Brahmanism and certain aspects of religion from the Upanishads.






49. Were those classified as impure and polluters. They were below shudras.






50. A heroic Warrior