South Asian History and Civilizations Quiz

Study Notes

Sedentariness in South Asia

Sedentariness began in South Asia between 10,000 and 8,000 BCE, with the arrival of agriculture.

Vedic Period (1500–500 BCE)

The Vedic Period was marked by the arrival of new groups of Indo-European speakers who brought new religious and cultural ideas to the region.
The Vedic Period saw the rise of pastoral communities, who depended on cattle for food and resources.
The Vedas, a collection of sacred hymns and poems, were written during this period.
The caste system, a hierarchical social structure, emerged during this time and is closely tied to the Vedic hymns and rituals of the period.

Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization collapsed early in the second millennium BCE, causing the population to scatter from large urban centres into villages.
The cause of the collapse is unclear, but some possible theories include:
- Climate change
- Ecological stress
- Invasions
- Overpopulation

Rise of New Cultures and Empires

Around 600 BCE, a period referred to as the Second Urbanization in South Asia saw the rise of new, large urban centers in different parts of the subcontinent, creating highly developed cultures and societies.
The Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya (322–298 BCE) was the first great empire to emerge in ancient India.

Description

Test your knowledge of the history and civilizations of the Indian subcontinent, from the arrival of anatomically modern humans to the flourishing of the Indus Valley Civilization. Learn about the settlement and evolution of early societies in present-day Pakistan and north-western India.