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






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






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






4. The Sankrit word for tribe






5. The term for universal soul - which was introduced in the Upanishads.






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






7. 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.






8. Chief in Sanskrit






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






10. Means someone destined to be a buddha. ... refers to one who delays personal enlightenment to help others achieve enlightenment.






11. 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.






12. Word for pleasure






13. A wise sage who is also known as Vyasu. He impregnated the Queen of Kuru's daughters as an attempt of repopulations the clan's royal throne.






14. Means someone destined to be a buddha. ... refers to one who delays personal enlightenment to help others achieve enlightenment.






15. The oldest book in Sanskrit literature is called ...






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






17. A strongIndian tribe that influencedIndians to occasionally refer to their country as Bharat.






18. 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.






19. (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






20. Laws and aspects of everyday life in the Mauryan empire were recorded on ...They are commonly found on stones and pillars.






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






22. The Sankrit word for tribe






23. Was the principal of tolerance for other views






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






25. Term for renouncing the worldly life






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






27. Term for: enlightened one






28. A greeting meaning 'the divine in me recognizes the divine in you.'






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






30. A heroic Warrior






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






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






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






34. Close to the city of Harappa. Also known as 'Mounds of the Dead'. Cared about hygiene and used gutter systems - had dwellings and bathrooms - etc.






35. Regular tradesmen - farmers - craftsmen - etc. who were represented by Purusha's legs.






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






37. The five branches of theIndus River that houses were built along the side of. The 'Five Rivers'






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






39. Was the Greek ambassador who was impressed with Chandragupta's work and wrote about it.






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






41. 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.






42. The ... were doing your Dharma - having Artha and Kama - and most importantly - achieving Moksha.






43. A ... is a sage






44. Commanded Brahma to create the world.






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






46. 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.






47. A Buddhist Shrine was called a ...






48. Was a prince born in the Shakya Clan who saw The Four Sights and began to seek enlightenment. Chose to go into exile and practiced Asceticism - but later started his own religion.






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






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