In Mesopotamia, the cuneiform culture of the Mesopotamians assimilated invaders and provided continuity. The same role in India was performed by

In Mesopotamia, the cuneiform culture of the Mesopotamians assimilated invaders and provided continuity. The same role in India was performed by

(A) Buddhism.
(B) the Hindu social hierarchy.
(C) Jain philosophy.
(D) the Greek culture introduced by Alexander the Great.
(E) the culture of the Indus Valley peoples.

Answer: B

Over time in classical India, castes

Over time in classical India, castes

(A) were replaced by simpler social groups.
(B) died out as Buddhism spread throughout India.
(C) intensified and began to differ from region to region.
(D) lost their religious significance.
(E) removed restrictions on gender

Answer: C

During the classical era in India, all of the following occurred EXCEPT

During the classical era in India, all of the following occurred EXCEPT

(A) religious authorities often allowed dissections in the name of research.
(B) spherical shrines to Buddha, called stupas, were erected.
(C) the concept of zero was invented.
(D) sculpture and painting moved away from realistic portrayals of the human form to a more stylized representation.
(E) Indians developed an interest in spontaneity and imagination.

Answer: A

Buddhism lost its appeal and influence in Guptan India in part because

Buddhism lost its appeal and influence in Guptan India in part because

(A) Hinduism showed its adaptability by emphasizing its mystical side, thus retaining the loyalties of many Indians.
(B) unpopular Gupta's supported Buddhism, which led to Buddhism's decline.
(C) Islam was introduced and replaced both Hinduism and Buddhism.
(D) Hindus abandoned the caste system, making Hinduism more attractive.
(E) merchants, the chief patrons of Buddhism, abandoned the religion for Islam.

Answer: A

Alexander the Great's invasion of India

Alexander the Great's invasion of India

(A) led to the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism to the Mediterranean world.
(B) disrupted the existing trade routes between India and the Mediterranean.
(C) had little lasting influence on either region.
(D) led to the rise of the Mauryas.
(E) isolated India from contacts with other regions

Answer: D

Buddhism spread primarily as a result of

Buddhism spread primarily as a result of

(A) the caste system.
(B) the appeal of ritualistic sacrifice and the performing of intricate rites flawlessly.
(C) its monastic community.
(D) Gupta rulers.
(E) warfare with Brahman opponents.

Answer: C

A major difference between Buddhism and Hinduism was that

A major difference between Buddhism and Hinduism was that

(A) Buddhism denied the need for caste, rites, and sacrifice to achieve nirvana.
(B) Hinduism was monotheistic, and Buddhism was polytheistic
(C) Buddhism denied rebirth, reincarnation, and emphasized the real world.
(D) Buddhism encouraged its followers to renounce the political world.
(E) Hinduism taught respect for all living things and prohibited killing.

Answer: A

A central message of the Bhagavad Gita is that

A central message of the Bhagavad Gita is that

(A) great crises should warrant breaking caste rules.
(B) those who worship Krishna can expect to be punished for their sins and denied paradise.
(C) reincarnation always happens along caste lines.
(D) meditation is the most effective path toward nirvana.
(E) one must carry out the duties that come with one's caste.

Answer: E

The Indian caste system

The Indian caste system

(A) differed little from other systems of inequality in the ancient world.
(B) closely resembled the Greco-Roman class structure.
(C) was extremely complex and stratified; a person could almost never change caste.
(D) had little basis in Hindu religious writings.
(E) integrated non-Aryans into ruling castes as a way of political control.




Answer: C

The highest Hindu caste members in India after the Epic Age were the

The highest Hindu caste members in India after the Epic Age were the

(A) Shudras (workers).
(B) Vaisyas (merchants, herders).
(C) Kshatriya (warriors, rulers).
(D) Brahmans (priests, scholars).
(E) Dasas or the Dravidian peoples.

Answer: D

Which of the following does NOT help explain why India was invaded more often than China?

Which of the following does NOT help explain why India was invaded more often than China?

a. Greater contact with other societies
b. Regional diversities
c. Political tradition
d. Hostility to warfare
e. Geographical position

Answer: D

India's trading network involved direct contact with all of the following EXCEPT

India's trading network involved direct contact with all of the following EXCEPT

a. the Middle East.
b. China.
c. Russia.
d. Southeast Asia.
e. central Asia.

Answer: C

Hindu ethics involved

Hindu ethics involved

a. attack on all opposing religious faiths.
b. condemnations of money-making.
c. emphasis on an individual carrying out the obligations of life.
d. finding ultimate happiness.
e. a detailed set of prohibitions on sexual activity.

Answer: C

Hinduism urged that

Hinduism urged that

a. worship of nature's spirits and images was blasphemous.
b. all living creatures participated in the divine essence.
c. withdrawal from the world was the only path to holiness.
d. monotheism was superior to polytheism.
e. Brahmins would automatically gain nirvana after death.

Answer: B

Nalanda became famous for

Nalanda became famous for

a. its university that attracted students from all over Asia.
b. site of battle between Alexander the Great and the Guptas.
c. being the site where Buddha became enlightened.
d. being the birthplace of Ashoka and his capital.
e. being the first capital of the Gupta Empire.

Answer: A

In contrast to China, the social values that developed in classical India

In contrast to China, the social values that developed in classical India

a. led to great political expansion.
b. discouraged scientific research.
c. promoted considerable equality between men and women.
d. encouraged greater emotional spontaneity.
e. urged that children not be required to work.

Answer: D

The Mauryan dynasty differed from the Gupta dynasty in that

The Mauryan dynasty differed from the Gupta dynasty in that

a. it attacked Buddhist beliefs.
b. it refused to develop a strong army.
c. it was imposed by conquerors from Greece.
d. Mauryan rulers opposed the caste system.
e. it ruled a larger territory.

Answer: E

Nirvana meant

Nirvana meant

a. full union with the divine essence.
b. reincarnation in a higher caste after a good life.
c. obedience to the rules of the caste system.
d. acquiring earthly wealth.
e. the Hindu holy book.

Answer: A

Compared to China, India

Compared to China, India

a. had greater contact with other societies and civilizations.
b. had a more flexible social structure that gave a greater role for women.
c. had much more recent origins due to the invasion of the Aryans.
d. lacked regional diversity and was more centralized.
e. was more secular in outlook with a focus on commercial values.

Answer: A

Buddhism differed from Hinduism by not believing

Buddhism differed from Hinduism by not believing

a. in spreading the faith.
b. in the caste system.
c. in nirvana.
d. in the importance of moral obligations.
e. in holy leaders.

Answer: B