THINK ABOUT IT
Q1. Consider the physical map of the Indian Subcontinent at the start of the chapter. What are its natural boundaries that you can make out?
Answer:
The natural boundaries of the Indian Subcontinent visible on the map are: the Himalayan mountain range in the north, the Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east, and the Indian Ocean in the south.
Q2. Have you identified the ‘snowy mountains’? Do you think this brief description of Bhārata is correct?
Answer:
Yes, the ‘snowy mountains’ refer to the Himalayan mountain range. This description is correct because the Himalayas are a snow-capped range that forms the northern boundary of the Indian Subcontinent. The description 'north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains' accurately defines the geographic extent of ancient Bhārata.
LET'S EXPLORE
Q1. Do you recognise the names of any regions given in the map (Fig. 5.4) on page 79? List the ones that you have heard of.
Answer:
Students may recognise names such as Kāshmīra (Kashmir), Kurukṣetra (parts of Haryana), Vanga (parts of Bengal), Prāgjyotiṣha (Assam), Kaccha (Kutch in Gujarat), Kerala (Kerala), and others. The exact list depends on the individual student's familiarity with these historical regions.
Q2. In this reproduction of the first page of the original Constitution of India in Fig. 5.5 (page 82), can you make out the phrase ‘India, that is Bharat’?
Answer:
Yes, the phrase 'India, that is Bharat' can be seen written in English on the first page of the original Constitution of India. It appears at the beginning of the Preamble, establishing the official names of the country.
Q2. Can you complete this table of the many names of India?
Answer:
The completed table is:
- Persian: Hind, Hidu, Hindu
- Greek: Indoi, Indike
- Latin: India
- Chinese: Yintu, Yindu, Tianzhu
- Arabic & Persian: Hindustan
- English: India
- French: Inde
Questions, activities and projects
Q1. Discuss what could be the meaning of the quotation at the start of the chapter.
Answer:
The quotation likely emphasizes that India has been known by many names throughout history, reflecting its ancient heritage, diverse cultures, and interactions with foreigners. It also highlights the constitutional phrase 'India, that is Bharat' to show the unity between the ancient and modern name of the country.
Q2. True or false?
Answer:
1. False – The Rig Veda only mentions one of the main Vedic groups; it does not describe the entire geography of India.
2. True – The Vishnu Purana describes the entire Subcontinent as the land north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains.
3. True – In Ashoka's time, 'Jambudvipa' included what is today India, parts of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
4. True – The Mahabharata lists many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.
5. False – The term 'Hindustan' first appeared in a Persian inscription some 1,800 years ago, not in a Greek inscription.
6. False – In ancient Persian, 'Hindu' is a purely geographical term referring to the region of the Indus River, not the Hindu religion.
7. False – 'Bharata' was a name used by the ancient inhabitants of India, not by foreign travellers.
Q3. If you were born some 2,000 years ago and had the chance to name our country, what name or names might you have chosen, and why? Use your imagination!
Answer:
Students can imagine names such as 'Sindhu Desh' (land of the Indus), 'Himalaya Pradesh' (land of the Himalayas), or 'Surya Bhumi' (land of the sun). Reasons could include referencing major geographical features like the Indus River or the Himalayas, or cultural symbols like the sun.
Q4. Why did people travel to India from various parts of the world in ancient times? What could be their motivations in undertaking such long journeys? (Hint: There could be at least four or five motivations)
Answer:
Possible motivations include: (1) Trade – India was known for spices, textiles, and precious stones. (2) Religious pilgrimage – Buddhists, Hindus, and others visited sacred sites. (3) Learning – Scholars came to study at universities like Nalanda. (4) Conquest – Invaders sought wealth and territory. (5) Cultural exchange – Travelers like Xuanzang came to collect texts and spread ideas.