LET'S EXPLORE
Q1. Identify the three large water bodies that surround India in the map on the facing page (Fig.2.2).
Answer:
The three large water bodies that surround India as shown in the map are the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south.
Q1. The scene in Fig. 2.21 depicts the well-known Hindu myth of samudra manthana or the churning of the ocean. The devas (gods, on the right here) and the asuras (demons, on the left) decided to join forces to churn the cosmic ocean in search of amrita or the nectar of immortality, with the serpent Vāsuki as the churning rope and Viṣṇu (above) presiding over the operation — he will eventually deceive the asuras to make sure that the amrita goes to the devas alone. Note also the airport’s official name of ‘Suvarnabhumi Airport’ — does it remind you of something?
Answer:
Yes, 'Suvarnabhumi' reminds me of the ancient Indian name for Southeast Asia, 'Suvarṇabhūmi' (the 'golden land'), which Indian traders used for the islands of Java, Sumatra, and Malaya.
Q2. Seeing that Tamil is one of Singapore’s official languages, what does this suggest to you about the relationship between south India and Singapore?
Answer:
The fact that Tamil is an official language of Singapore suggests that there has been a strong historical and cultural connection between south India and Singapore, including migration, trade, and cultural exchange over centuries. It indicates that Tamil-speaking communities have been an integral part of Singapore's society.
DON'T MISS OUT
Q1. Many nations in India’s neighbourhood came together in 1985 to form an association called SAARC — the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation — in order to promote mutual interests, sociocultural and economic progress. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are members. SAARC aims to share resources around development in science, education, health, and other areas. However, political tensions among some members have often disrupted its functioning.
Answer:
This is a text box providing information about SAARC. No question is asked here; it is an informational note.
Q2. Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, is a vibrant blend shaped by centuries of contact with Indian cultures. It borrows words from Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. Raajje (king) and mas (fish) echo Sanskrit words rājā and matsya, while dhoni (boat) and kukulhu (chicken) share roots with Tamil and Malayalam. Modern Hindi words like filmu have entered everyday use, thanks to Bollywood. Dhivehī reflects the Maldives’ rich history as a maritime hub shaped by Indian linguistic and cultural influences.
Answer:
This is a text box providing information about the Dhivehi language. No question is asked here; it is an informational note.
Q3. Monarchs of the current Chakri dynasty have all been named after Rāma; the current king, for instance, is Rama X (that is, the tenth King Rama in this dynasty).
Answer:
This is a text box providing information about the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. No question is asked here; it is an informational note.