First Qin ruler of China; he built institutions that helped China remain unified for almost 2,000 years

a Chinese political philosophy that holds that the most effective government is that which rules people by a harsh set of laws

First emperor of the Han dynasty in China; he did away with the Legalist policies of the Qin and appointed Confucian scholars as his advisors.

Fifth emperor of the Han dynasty in China, he led the Han dynasty during its peak and substantially increased Chinese territory.

a centralized administrative system that runs the day-to-day business of government

normadic raiders from the grasslands north of China during the reign of Han dynasty; emperor Wudi fought against them in the mid-100s BC

a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors

Confucian scholar of the Han period; she wrote a classic Confucian text on the role of women, Lessons for Women, in which she argues that women should show humility and obedience toward their husbands and families

Chinese official under Emperor Wudi; he was sent on a journey through China to form an alliance with the Xiongu tribe to the west. His travels led to a vast increase in trade and the establishment of the Silk Road.

trade routes stretching from China to Mediterranean, which allowed for the exchange of goods and ideas from China to the Roman Empire.

Chinese historian, sometimes called the "father of Chinese history"; he wrote the "Historial Records" or "Shiji", in which he attempts to provide a complete history of China from the Yellow Emperor to the reign of Wudi.

Chinese medical practice that involves inserting needles into the skin in order to relieve pain

Founder of the Mauryan Empire in India; he conquered much of northern India and ruled over parts of Pakistan

Indian philosopher and politician and advisor to Chandragupta; he wrote "Arthashastra", a great work on how rulers seize and maintain power.

Mauryan emperor from c.273-c.232 BC; one of the greatest rulers of ancient India, he brought nearly all of India under one authority for the first time in history. He also promoted the spread of Buddhism

Emperor of the Gupta; during his reign the Gupta Empire reached its peak. He extended the territory of the empire. His regime was a time of prosperity and cultural flourishing for much of India

Indian dramatist and poet, often called the "Indian Shakespeare"; his poems and plays were written on historical, mythological, and romantic subjects.

the number system that we use today, created by Indian scholars and brought to Europe by Arabs

Gupta mathematician and astronomer; he argued that the earth revolves around the sun and correctly explained the causes of eclipses