Question | Answer |
Himalayas | Mountain range that forms a natural barrier between India and the rest of Asia |
Pilgrim | A person who travels to visit a religious shrine or location |
Stupa | A Buddhist shrine that is shaped like a dome or a mound |
Dynasty | A line of rulers from the same family |
Dalai Lama | Buddhist religious leader who is also the head of the government in the country of Tibet |
Harappan | India’s first civilization, which was located in the Indus River Valley |
Guru | Religious leader and spiritual guide in Hinduism |
Caste | A social group that a person is born into and cannot change |
Raja | Leaders of Aryan tribes in India |
Sanskrit | Written language of the Aryans |
Monsoon | A strong wind that blows one direction in winter and the opposite in the summer, causing seasonal weather patterns in India |
Subcontinent | A large land mass that is part of a continent, but distinct from it |
Hinduism | A system of religion that grew out of the religion of the Aryans in ancient India |
Brahman | In Hinduism, the universal spirit of which all gods and goddesses are parts |
Reincarnation | The rebirth of the soul or spirit into different bodies over time |
Dharma | In Hinduism, the divine law that requires people to perform the duties of their caste |
Karma | In Hinduism, the good or bad energy a person builds up based upon whether he or she lives a good or bad life |
Buddhism | A religion that taught the way to find truth and peace was to give up all desires |
Nirvana | In Buddhism, a state of wisdom and freedom from the cycle of rebirth |
Theocracy | A government headed by a religious leader |