07 Empires and Religions in South Asia Free Online FlashCards

What were the mahajanapadas?

Mahajanapadas were fortified states that competed for influence in northern India during the first millennium BCE.

What role did Magadha play in the rise of the Mauryan Empire?

Magadha grew powerful in the Ganges valley and became the base for the Mauryan Empire.

Who founded the Mauryan Empire, and around when?

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire around 321 BCE.

What did Ashoka’s inscriptions say about dhamma?

Ashoka’s inscriptions described dhamma, a public ethic emphasizing respect, generosity, and restraint.

How did Mauryan rulers maintain control over distant territories?

Mauryan rulers used a royal court and officials to govern; military force and alliances helped maintain control over distant territories.

Name regional powers that followed the Mauryan dynasty.

After the Mauryan dynasty ended around 185 BCE, regional powers included the Shungas in the north, Satavahanas in the Deccan, and later Kushans in the north and northwest.

How did Gupta rule vary across its territories?

Gupta rulers governed some regions directly, while other regions kept local rulers who acknowledged Gupta authority.

What contributed to the weakening of Gupta rule?

Gupta rule weakened in the fifth and sixth centuries as Hunas invaded and regional powers asserted greater independence.

How did Hinduism develop?

Hinduism developed over many centuries, drawing on the Vedas, later texts such as the Upanishads, and evolving traditions of worship, stories, and temples.

What goal do Buddhist teachings offer?

Buddhism teaches about suffering and a path toward its ending, nirvana, and liberation from rebirth.

Who helped spread Buddhism beyond imperial patronage?

Monks, pilgrims, and merchants carried Buddhism along land and sea routes; its spread depended on more than imperial patronage.

Who are the tirthankaras, and what is Mahavira’s place among them?

Jains honor a succession of enlightened teachers called tirthankaras. Mahavira, a contemporary of the Buddha, is traditionally regarded as the twenty-fourth.