Arch History 1 Quiz 2 India+China

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Mahajanapadas

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"great foothold of a tribe" Early Aryan states/kingdoms established along the Ganges river

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Vedic

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Named after Vedas, the Sanskrit scriptures. Centered on Brahmanism and ritual ceremonies. Inflexible social organisation. Fire alters and sacred water.

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Ratha and Rathoutsava

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"Spoked wheel chariot." Festival of processions for temple deities. Forms of movable chariots transposed into stone temple architecture.

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Ghats

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Steps leading to the sacred bodies of water. In Varanasi, there are over 80 sets of such steps, including cremation ghats

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Vastu Shastra

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"Science of construction" Vedic doctrine based on 5 directional elements. Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Space.

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Zoroastrianism

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Not for elites; communal rituals. Yet also encompassed an inflexible social organisation. Yearly ceremonies. Fire temples.

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Mandala

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Plan of the universe, commonly used to lay out building plans.

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Buddhism

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Gautama Buddha left his high life to seek enlightenment and found "The Middle Way." Traditions passed orally.

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Dharma

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Wheel of law. Common symbol of Buddhism. Used as a sculptrual element to cap Ashokan Pillars.

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Maurya Empire

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First Indian empire. 322-185 BCE. Flourished under Ashoka.

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Ashoka the Great

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Forsook military conquests and sought out, then promoted, Buddhism. Erected Ahoskan pillars inscribed with Sanskrit text. Financed Buddhist sites and monasteries.

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Stupa

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Earth mound covered in a hemispherical fired brick structure. Built with a relic of Buddha within its entity. Later versions (@ Sanchi) were crowned with a chattris within a harmika, built on a berm (medhi), surrounded by a balustrade (vedika), and accessed by gates (torana). Stupa were circumambulated (parikrama)

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Junnar Caves

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Rock-cut architecture. Inner circular chambers with pillars that created a rectangular hall and a circular path around a stupa.

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Karla Caves

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Developed chaitya hall, among the largest of rock-cut chaityas. High vaulted ceilings, sensuous human pillar capitals and relief sculptures.

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Taxila

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Commonly referred to as the contact zone between Greek and Indian civilizations. Greco-influenced axial layout filled with stupas; Geek, Hindu, Jain, and Zoroastrian temples; and Buddhist sanctuaries/baths.

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Erlitou Culture

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Stone age/early bronze age beginnings of Chinese society. Roots in mythic Xia Dynasty Distinct from Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures as Erlitou culture incorporated metallurgy and agriculture into a single economy. Early prominence of stratified society, with huge rammed earth and wood palaces.

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Shang Dynasty

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Bronze age. Many rammed earth and wood palaces/temples built with northern "dragon" hills.

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Yin Xu

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Final capital of Shang Dynasty. Location of oracle bones and copper chests and vases. Non-axial layout deters evil spirit entry.

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Shangdi

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Supreme god, first surfacing in Shang Dynasty. Too distant to worship; only accessible through ancestral worship. Emporers seen as "sons of Shangdi"="sons of heaven"

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Tomb of Lady Fu Hao

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Burial pit of Shang Dynasty queen, high priestess, or warrior. Buried along side warrior guards and dogs, along with ritual bells, instruments, and bronze and jade jewelry

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Zhou Dynasty

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Prestigious chariot army which overthrows Shang Dynasty. Established a quasi-feudal system and the Chinese language. Tianming replaces Shangdi culture. Divided regional reign which leads to the "warring state period."

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Hao Feng

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Western Zhou Dynasty capital. Walled enclosure with central, elevated earth temple built of wood. Strong symmetry with central axis, with screen wall to prevent evil spirits.

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Tianming

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"mandate from heaven" Turn from Shangdi. Concept of heaven blessing a good emperor, and disasters the result of poor rule, which could terminate an emperor's reign.

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School of Law; Legalism

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Discipline from above. Strictly enforced laws. A philosophical basis for imperial government.

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Taoism

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Individual in nature, rather than society. Seeking to follow "the way of the universe." Feng shui, and yin-yang.

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China's Iron Age

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Focussed on cast iron, instead of wrought, as in Mediterranean and Mesopotamian cultures.

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Warring States Period

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Followed Zhou Dynasty. Marked by feuding vassal states, who built cities with fortified walls and competitive palaces.

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Great Wall

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Begun in 5th century BCE, greatly enlarged in the Qin Dynasty. Began as wood and rammed earth structure to protect the northern extents of the dynasties.

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Xianyang

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Huge wooden palace complex built above a rammed earth substructure to give the impression of a multi-storied building. Symmetrical emphasis.

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Tomb of Marquis Yi

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Zeng ruler from Warring States Period. Great bells. 4 chambered burial with Windows between rooms to allow movement of the body-bound soul.

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Qin Dynasty

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First imperial dynasty of China, albeit short. Increased trade, agriculture production, and military protection. Enlarged the Great Wall. Standardised weights, measures, and currency.

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Lingqu Canal

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Link between China's two main waterways. An impressive 34 km length. Expedited water transport and promoted southwestern expansion.

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Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

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Buried, walled-in city/empire representation. Subterranean walls redirect water table. Terracotta army, of which no two soldiers share a face. 8,000 soldiers plus chariots and horses.

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Han Dynasty

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The Golden Age. Successful expansion of territory and built upon and strengthened the overland silk route. Established writing.

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Chang'an

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Ideal square twisted to mimic the big dipper, and also align along river. Palace occupied 1/2 of city area. Divided into 9 districts, each containing 160 wards, each ward housing 50-100 families. Four phase expansion.

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Weiyang Gong

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Endless palace. 4.8 km² (12 acre) area. Showcased the "invisibility" of the emperor.