Name: __________________________________________
Period: ________
The Indian Subcontinent Study Guide
Directions: This is your study guide for the Indian Subcontinent Test. Please write the
correct answer to each question. You do not need to use complete sentences.
Ancient Indian Civilizations
1. In which modern country could we find the Indus River Valley
civilization?
Pakistan
2. Both Harrapa and Mohenjo Daro were located next to which river?
Indus River
3. What was the highest-ranking Varna?
Brahmin
4. Who was the most powerful king of the Mauryan Empire?
Asoka
5. What system divided Indian society into groups based on birth or
occupation?
Caste System
6. Which Indian leader helped expand the Mauryan Empire?
Asoka
7. Under which Indian empire was the Taj Mahal built?
Mughal Empire
8. What is the name of the British company that once controlled large parts
of the Indian subcontinent?
The British East India Company
Name: __________________________________________
Period: ________
9. The two largest cities in Harappan civilization were Harappa and
______Mohenjo Daro________.
10. The Harappan civilization was founded around 2300 BC in the
______Indus______ River Valley.
Religion
11. What is ultimate objective of Buddhism, a point in which the soul no
longer needs to be reborn?
Nirvana
12. Upon reaching enlightenment, the followers of this person referred to
him as “Buddha.”
Siddartha Gautama
13. How did Siddhartha Gautama seek answers to his questions?
He had discussions with wise people, he spent much of his time
meditating, and he spent several years wandering around India
14. According to Buddha’s teachings, suffering comes from what?
Our desires for pleasure and material goods
15. According to tradition, Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment
while sitting under what?
A Bodhi tree or the “Tree of Enlightenment”
16. According to Buddha, what could be used as a guide for how people
could reach nirvana?
The Eightfold Path
17. What is the largest religion in India today?
Hinduism
Name: __________________________________________
Period: ________
18. What is the dominant religion of Pakistan?
Islam
19. Reuniting their souls with, Brahman, the universal spirit is the ultimate
goal of which religion?
Hinduism
20. A Buddhist teaching is that reaching ______nirvana_______, or a
state of perfect peace, will free a person’s soul from suffering.
Modern India
21. What are 3 things Mohandas K. Gandhi did in protest against the
British to achieve independence for India?
 Salt march
 Fasting for 21 days
 Quit India Movement
22. What is the term for intentionally breaking the law without using
violence?
Civil Disobedience
23. In 1971, East Pakistan broke off to become which independent country?
Bangladesh
24. The British agreed to the partition of what in 1947?
India
25. In the struggle for Indian independence, Mohandas Gandhi used
(violent/non-violent) protests.
Non-Violent
26. Mohandas Gandhi is best remembered for his role in the
________Indian_______ independence struggle.
Name: __________________________________________
Period: ________
27. One of India’s most popular festivals is _______Diwali______, the
festival of lights.
Physical Geography
28. _____Monsoons_______ are seasonal winds that bring either
moist or dry air to an area.
29. Which mountain chain separates India from the rest of Asia?
Himalayas
30. What is the only country that has a larger population than India?
China
31. The Ganges River joins with other rivers and empties into the Bay of
Bengal creating what physical geographic feature?
Delta
32. The source of water in the Ganges and Indus rivers is melted snow from
which land feature?
Himalaya Mountains
33. What is a strong wind that changes directions with the seasons?
Monsoon
Key Terms to Know
Sanskrit is the language of Ancient India, now the basis for most
languages of South Asia.
The Indus River is a major river flowing through Pakistan.
A caste system is the division of Indian society into groups.
Reincarnation is the process of a soul being reborn in a new body.
Karma is the force created by a person's actions, either good or bad.
Going without food is known as fasting.
Missionaries are people who spread their religious beliefs.
Name: __________________________________________
Period: ________
The untouchables are people who are not supposed to associate with
others in society.
Found in the Himalayas, Mount Everest is the world’s tallest land
feature.
A partition is the division of two or more things, such as countries.
***Be sure to study Hinduism and Buddhism and be able
to compare and contrast the two religions***