| A | B |
|---|
| India | Country in Southern Asia borderd by Pakistan to the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Arabian Sea to the west, and Nepal and China to the north/northeast. |
| Subcontinent | large landmass that juts out from another continent; typically bigger than a peninsula |
| Himalayas | a mountain range extending through south central Asia bodering India and Tibet |
| Mount Everest | The highest mountain peak in the world; located in the Himalayas, The world's tallest mountain. |
| Indus & Ganges | Two river systems depended upon for water and irrigation in Ancient India |
| Monsoons | Rainy season in southern Asia and India when the southwestern wind blows, bringing heavy rains |
| Tigris and Euphrates | River systems depended upon in Ancient Mesopotamia |
| Nile River | River system depended upon in Ancient Egypt |
| Mohenjo Daro | Ancient city in the Indus River Valley; located in the current country of Pakistan this city had a system of writing and an intricate system of plumbing |
| Hinduism | National religion of India; Over 700 million people practice this religion; belief in reincarnation, Ahimsa, the Vedas, and many gods and goddesses such as Shiva and Vishnu |
| Avatar | Hindu word for Gods; the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form |
| Ahimsa | Hindu belief in non-violence toward all living creatures |
| Gandhi | (1869-1948) a lawyer from South Africa, he fought against racial prejudice against Indians, advocated civil disobedience, equal rights, no caste system, led salt march and other protests, assassinated by a Hindu extremist for his beliefs |
| Reincarnation | The belief that the spirit or soul will be reborn into the body of another living thing when someone dies; if you lead a good life you will be sent into a higher class but if you lead a mean/bad life you might be sent into a lower class like a cockroach |
| Buddhism | Religion began by Siddartha Guatama, the teaching that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth; this religion follows the Middle Way or Eightfold Path |
| Meditation | To think deeply about important or sacred things |
| Middle Way or Eightfold Path | In Buddhism, the basic rules of behavior and belief leading to an end of suffering; page 108 in your Social Studies book |
| Nirvana | the everlasting peace that Buddhists seek by giving up selfish desires |
| Karma | Good deeds rewarded and bad deeds punished; the force generated by a person's actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life |
| Citadel | a fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place |
| Aryan | Highborn/noble invaders that moved into the Indus River Valley circa 1500 B.C.E. ; to the nazis or racist sects, peoples who formed a "master race" |
| Taj Mahal | A beautiful tomb built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan to honor his wife. |
| Sacred Cow | Hindu religious belief. The hindus believed that this animal is sacred and harming one is strictly forbidden. |
| Mehendi Ceremony | Indian ceremony often performed prior to a wedding. Henna paste (similar to make up) is used in this ceremony to decorate the hands and feet of the bride and often her wedding party as well. |
| Absolute Power | complete control over someone or something; a ruler wielding complete control over his people |
| Convert | To change; a person who has changed to another religious or political belief |
| Bengal Tiger | Native to India and Asia. This animal can only be found in India. It lives in jungles and grasslands. Its role is a top predator in the food chain. Sad but true this animal has been hunted by humans for their fur until the point of near extinction. |
| Ganges River | Located in India, this river is considered sacred to Hindus and is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals. Hindus believe that bathing in this body of water will cleanse your soul. |
| Enlightenment | in Buddhism, a state of perfect wisdom in which one understands basic truths about the universe |
| Bindi | Red dot on head. The "third eye" of mediation where all life experiences are held. Also, its a symbol of spiritual protection and can mean that you are married in some parts of India. |
| Harrapa | Along with Mohenjo-daro, major city of the Indus civilization; laid out on planned grid pattern that we watched in class; A large ancient city of the Indus civilization, located in present-day Pakistan |
| Christmas | Merry __________ fill in the blank...And the same to you 7th graders. Mr. Whitman |
