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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. Was the term for an individual soul






3. Chief in Sanskrit






4. 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.






5. (literal definition: To sit near) - A collection of Ascetic teachings






6. Were the people who did not believe in enjoying life - and got inner peace by finding a greater reality than their own.






7. River that ran down the Himalaya slopes and reached the bay of Bengal.






8. The mother of Buddha who gave birth in a forest while singing.






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






10. Word for duty






11. Devotion (also can be a form of Yoga)






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






13. Word for duty






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






15. Was Siddhartha Gautama's charioteer.






16. Was a prince from Kosalo before dropping out of society and creating Jainism. He was formerly known as Nataputta Vardhamana.






17. Is the path between self-denial and desires (it does not go to the extremes of Brahmanism or Asceticism)






18. Term for renouncing the worldly life






19. The age where the Vedas took place and were used almost as cultural guidelines for everyday life.






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






21. Chief in Sanskrit






22. Was a tribe on the East Coast - who refused to submit to the Mauryan Empire. Once Ashoka found out that they army had conquered them - he freed them - returned land - and wrote an apology.






23. There is good ... and bad ...... determines whether or not you will move up a Varnas. Good ... is achieved when someone did their dharma and bad ... was received when someone did not do their dharma.






24. Survival






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






26. Started the Mauryan Empire.In order to gain control - he overthrew Seleucid.






27. The age where the Vedas took place and were used almost as cultural guidelines for everyday life.






28. 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.






29. Were the visions the Buddha saw of an old man - a sick man - and a dead man. These sights inspired him to seek enlightenment.






30. Was a prince from the capital Adoyha. He did his Dharma and was an admirable ruler who respected his elders. However - when he was up for throne - his mother ordered his father to banish him. His father was Dasharatha.






31. The ... was the war that took place between the Mauryans and the Kalinga Tribe. The Mauryans won - however - Ashoka later returned their land.






32. Was the principal of tolerance for other views






33. Other name for the sage - Krishna






34. Term for: Movement






35. Was Ashoka's word for obedience to parents and elders - kindness to all human and family relations - respect for all priests and ascetics - and refraining from killing living things.






36. Term for: Supreme Peace and Enlightenment






37. River that ran down the Himalaya slopes and reached the bay of Bengal.






38. Took the throne during 273 B.C.E and was Bindusara's son. He ruled over the Mauryan Empire and had the main focus of religion and completing his Dharma. He ruled with morality and practiced Buddhism.






39. Was the prince of evil who tempted Siddhartha Gautama while he was meditating.






40. Term for: Compassion






41. The Sankrit word for tribe






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






43. Was the term for an individual soul






44. The theory that one's neighbor was an enemy and one's neighbor's neighbor was a friend was called ... This determined who would go into war with each other - and who would allign.






45. Was the Brahman advisor of Chandragupta who helped him organize and army and drive the Macedonians away.






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






47. These guidelines advised small kingdoms survive in politics.






48. 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.






49. Indians will occasionally refer to their country with this label - named after a successful Aryan tribe.






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