China is a country in East Asia whose culture is considered the oldest, still extant, in the world. The name `China’ comes from the Sanskrit Cina (derived from the name of the Chinese Qin Dynasty, pronounced `Chin’) which was translated as `Cin’ by the Persians and seems to have become popularized through trade along the Silk Road from China to the rest of the world. The Romans and the Greeks knew the country as `Seres’, “the land where silk comes from”. The name `China’ does not appear in print in the west until 1516 CE in Barbosa’s journals narrating his travels in the east (though the Europeans had long known of China through trade via the Silk Road). Marco Polo, the famous explorer who familiarized China to Europe in the 13th century CE, referred to the land as `Cathay’. In Mandarin Chinese, the country is known as `Zhengzhou” meaning `central state’ or `middle empire’.

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Timeline 

`This timeline is based on the World and China  between the differences at different times 

Study Guide 

Ancient India/China Study Guide

1. Archaeologists know Harappan civilization covered a large area because they have found what? Many cities had the same design
   
   
2. What did Hindus believe? Hindus believe that many gods are part of the one supreme god
   
   
3. What Buddhist king ruled the Maurya Empire according to law and improved many public facilities? Asoka
   
   
4. Define ahimsa. Ahimsa means nonviolence
   
   
5. What ancient Indian development is commonly used all over the world today? Hindu-Arabic Numerals
   
   
6. How did the Shang and Zhou kings govern China? Appointing relatives to govern different regions
   
   
7. According to Confucius, what 2 things did China need to achieve peace and harmony? Proper conduct in the family and proper conduct in society.
   
   
8. What philosophy encouraged people to live in harmony with nature and their inner feelings? Daoism
   
   
9. What Han ruler placed infants on the throne in order to hold on to power? Empress Lu
   
   
10. What Chinese products were carried west on the Silk Roads? Silk, Pottery, and Paper
    
    

Where did early China civilization first develop? Near the Yellow River valley