List some achievements of the kingdoms during the classic and medieval periods. (Answers may vary.)

What will be an ideal response?

• Sanskrit became a common language; important works on religion and philosophy such as the Upanishads (the "forest books") explored reality and the self; yoga with its physical and mental discipline was invented; the faith of Buddhism was born; the Puranas fleshed out the myths of the gods and goddesses of today's popular Hinduism; many books on the arts including music were written such as the Natya Shastra (c. 200 B.C.E.) and Sangeeta Ratnakara (12th century); the two great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata were also written (containing source material used even today for song lyrics); painting, sculpture and architecture reached "pinnacles of achievement."