Ancient India

5. an Indian social class whose members are restricted in jobs
6. a large landmass that is smaller than a continent
8. Gupta II Further expanded the empire and strengthened its economy. His reign was a period of prosperity. Gupta Empire reached its Golden Age under his rule.
9. Gupta Founder of the Gupta Empire (nearly 500 years after the Maurya Empire; no relation to Chandragupta Maurya)
11. a state of perfect happiness and peace, according to Buddhist beliefs
12. Leader of the Maurya Empire who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism. Grandson of Chandragupta Maurya
15. the rebirth of the soul, according to Hindu beliefs
16. Buddhist shrine that is shaped like a dome or mound
17. Gautama (Buddha) The Indian prince who founded Buddhism and became the Buddha "Enlightened One."

1. a religion founded in ancient India by the religious teacher, Buddha
2. the first written language of India
3. seasonal winds, especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia
4. Gita (Hinduism) the sacred 'song of God' composed about 200 BC and incorporated into the Mahabharata (a Sanskrit epic)
5. Maurya founder of Maurya dynasty; established first empire in Indian subcontinent
7. a force that decides the form that people will be reborn into in their next lives, according to Hindu beliefs
10. one's personal duty, based on the individual's place in society
13. a major religion that developed in ancient India
14. ancient sacred writings of India