clusters of caste groups in Aryan society; four social castes—Brahmans (priests), warriors, merchants, and peasants; beneath four Aryan castes was group of socially untouchable Dasas low social caste in Hindu culture; performed tasks that were considering polluting-street sweeping, removal of human waste, and tanning founder of Maurya dynasty; established first empire in Indian subcontinent; first centralized government since Harappa civilization dynasty established in Indian subcontinent in 4th century B

1. Varnas

clusters of caste groups in Aryan society; four social castes—Brahmans (priests), warriors, merchants, and peasants; beneath four Aryan castes was group of socially untouchable Dasas

2. Untouchables

low social caste in Hindu culture; performed tasks that were considering polluting-street sweeping, removal of human waste, and tanning

3. Chandragupta Maurya

founder of Maurya dynasty; established first empire in Indian subcontinent; first centralized government since Harappa civilization

4. Mauryas

dynasty established in Indian subcontinent in 4th century B.C.E. following invasion by Alexander the Great

5. Ashoka

grandson of Chandragupta Maurya; completed conquests of Indian subcontinent; converted to Buddhism and sponsored spread of new religion throughout his empire

6. Dharma

the caste position and career determined by a person's birth; Hindu culture required that one accept one's social position and perform occupation to the best of one's ability in order to have a better occupation in the person's next life

7. Guptas

dynasty that succeeded the Kushans in the 3rd century C.E.; built empire that extended to all but the southern regions of Indian subcontinent; less centralized than Maurayan empire

8. Gurus

originally referred to as Brahmans who served as teachers for the princes of the imperial court of the Guptas

9. Reincarnation

the successive attachment of the soul to some animate according to merits earned in previous life

10. Buddha

creator of major Indian & Asian religion; born in 6th century B.C.E. as son of local ruler among Aryan tribes located near Himalayas; became an ascetic; found enlightenment under bo tree; taught that enlightenment could be achieved only by abandoning desires for all earthy things