AP World History Chapter 9 Vocabulary

Definition: a mountain range in the north western part of the Indian subcontinent Significance: where the ancient Indian empires originated

Definition: an ancient political handbook offering detailed instructions on the uses of power and the principles of government Significance: they were the procedures for the government of Chandragupta's realm

Definition: a region that has been lost control of and no one has gained control of since Significance: how the kingdom of Magadha gained power and control

Definition: symbols used to represent the Hindu-Arabic numerical system Significance: was adopted by the Persian and Arab peoples in India

Definition: Chandragupta's successor and grandson Significance: as a result of his policies, the various Indian regions became well integrated and the subcontinent benefited from both an expanding economy and a stable government

Definition: an Indian city which offered access to Bactria, Persia, and other points west Significance: the chief political and commercial center of northern India

Definition: an empire embracing much of northern India and central Asia that reigned from 1 to 300 CE and overthrew the Bactrians from the area Significance: facilitated commerce between India and distant lands that played a crucial role in the silk roads network

Definition: alliance established by the Gupta Dynasty as to prevent conflicts Significance: made by the Gupta Dynasty

Definition: a nomadic people from central Asia who occupied Bactria during the 4th century CE Significance: moved across the Hindu Kush and established several kingdoms in northern and western India that led to the Gupta decline

Definition: seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons Significance: Indian mariners recognized these rhythms as to facilitate trade in the Indian Ocean Basin

Definition: a social structure in which classes are determined by heredity Significance: basis for Indian daily life and social structure

Definition: the name for the original social division of Vedic people into four groups Significance: maintained social order

Definition: subcastes based on occupation Significance: maintained social order

Definition: priests Significance: the highest of the four varnas

Definition: new religion that emerged from the 5th to 7th century BCE that embraces the idea that everything, even inanimate objects, have a soul and that one must try to purify themselves from selfish behavior as to no longer suffer and attain a state of bliss Significance: influenced people throughout time as means against violence

Definition: founder of Buddhism, also known as the Buddha that was born around 563 BCE as a prince to a small tribal state in the Himalayas Significance: founded one of the world's most prominent religions

Definition: all life involves suffering, desire is caused by suffering, elimination of desire brings an end to suffering, the only way to eliminate desire is to follow a disciplined life conducted in accordance to the eight-fold path Significance: the core of the Buddha's doctrine

Definition: calls for individuals to lead balanced and moderate lives Significance: a principle of Buddhism

Definition: the basic doctrine of the Buddha that encompassed the Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path Significance: laid the basis for the Buddhist religion

Definition: shrines housing relics of the Buddha himself and his first disciples that pilgrims venerated while meditating on Buddhist values Significance: found in Buddhist homes

Definition: the act of providing approval and support Significance: the Mauryan Dynasty provided patronage for the religion and Ashoka converted to the religion itself

Definition: "an enlightened being" aka individuals who had reached spiritual perfection and merited the reward of nirvana, but who intentionally delayed their entry into nirvana to help others who were still struggling Significance: ultimate Buddhist goal