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






2. This epic was recorded around 1000-500 B.C.E. in AncientIndia. It unveils various religious values - cultural beliefs - and aspects of everyday life inIndia and is the reason for the time period's label - 'the Epic Age'.






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






4. Word for 'Knowledge'






5. A dry plateau that was located below the Vindhya and Satpura mountains.






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






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






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






9. Was the principal of tolerance for other views






10. Is the language thatIndians used for religious texts and purposes. Only upperclassmen were able to read this language (Brahmins).






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






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






13. Commanded Brahma to create the world.






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






15. 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.






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






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






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






19. 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.






20. Term for: Compassion






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






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






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






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






25. Also known has the Buddha. Known for saying he was awake - to imply that he was merely aware of what went on around him. Started the Religion of Buddhism.






26. The maid - ... - urged Kakeyi to have Rama banished.






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






28. One of the oldest continuous cities from the Gangetic plain that formed when the Aryans mixed culture with those already living there was called ...






29. Is the term for - 'Great'






30. 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.






31. 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.






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






33. The large pool-like bath in the citadel of Mohenjo-Daro - which was used most likely for hygiene and rituals.






34. 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.






35. Were smaller groups within a caste. (e.x. family - etc.)






36. 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.






37. The word for survival - importance - and wealth - was known as ...






38. These guidelines advised small kingdoms survive in politics.






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






40. The time period of the Vedas (1 -500 B.C.E. to 1 -000 B.C.E)






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






42. The trembling that woke Vishnu up - from his sleep.






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






44. Is where Megasthenes was from.






45. Survival






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






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






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






49. 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.






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