India vocabulary

subcontinent - a large landmass that is smaller than a continent

monsoon - seasonal wind, especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia

language family - a group of similar languages

raja - an Indian prince

Sanskrit - the first written language of India

Vedas - ancient sacred writings of India

caste - an Indian social class whose members are restricted in the jobs they may take and in their association with members of other castes

guru - a teacher

Hinduism - a major religion that developed in ancient India

Brahman - the universal spirit worshipped by Hindus

reincarnation - the rebirth of the soul

karma - a force that decides the form that people will be reborn into in their next lives

dharma - a person’s personal duty, based on the individual’s place in society

Buddhism - a religion founded in ancient India by the religious teacher Buddha

nirvana - a state of perfect happiness and peace

Jainism - a religion of ancient India that does not believe in a supreme being, but emphasizes nonviolence and respect for all living things

stupa - a Buddhist shrine, usually dome-shaped

pilgrim - a person who travels to holy sites

Bhagavad Gita - a section of the Indian epic the Mahabharata