 | Term | Definition |
| |
subcontinent |
a large land area that is topographically separate but still a part of the larger continent |
| |
monsoon |
a wind system affecting the climate of India and S. Asia; reverses direction seasonally, producing a wet season and a dry season |
| |
citadel |
fortress-city center in Indus River Valley |
| |
Aryan |
one of a group of seminomadic people that originally came from eastern Europe and spoke a Indo-European language |
| |
caste |
a division within India’s class system |
| |
Vedas |
a collection of sacred hymns and poems |
| |
raja |
ruler |
| |
varnas |
social classes |
| |
brahmin |
priest |
| |
Brahman |
God |
| |
Buddhism |
a religion founded in India by Siddhartha Gautama; stresses moderation and nonviolence |
| |
moderation |
the condition of not being excessive; not extreme |
| |
reincarnation |
rebirth of soul in another living thing |
| |
dharma |
the law or teachings; duty, justice, or social obligation |
| |
karma |
the thoughts, speech and actions a person performs during a lifetime |
| |
sangha |
Buddhism’s religious community |
| |
ahimsa |
nonviolence |
| |
Hinduism |
the major religion and way of life in modern India |
| |
guru |
spiritual teacher |
| |
meditate |
think deeply |
| |
nirvana |
lasting peace |
| |
missionary |
person who spreads religious beliefs to others |
| |
convert |
to change beliefs |
| |
guild |
an association of merchants or artisans who do the same work |
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace