CBSE Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 5 - India, That is Bharat

1. What is the Indian Subcontinent?
Ans: The Indian Subcontinent refers to the region that includes present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Afghanistan, characterized by shared geography and history.

2. What is the name of India mentioned in the Rig Veda?
Ans: In the Rig Veda, India is referred to as 'Sapta Sindhava,' meaning the land of seven rivers.

3. What does the term ‘Bhāratavarṣha’ mean?
Ans: Bhāratavarṣha means 'the country of the Bharatas,' and it refers to the Indian Subcontinent.

4. What does 'Jambudvīpa' mean?
Ans: Jambudvīpa means 'the island of the fruit of the jamun tree' and was used to describe the Indian Subcontinent.

5. Who were the first foreigners to mention India?
Ans: The Persians were the first foreigners to mention India, referring to it as 'Hind' or 'Hindu,' derived from the Indus River.

6. What names have been used for India in ancient texts?
Ans: Ancient texts have used several names for India. In the Rig Veda, it is called 'Sapta Sindhava.' The Mahābhārata refers to it as 'Bhāratavarṣha' and 'Jambudvīpa.' Later, the Persian name 'Hind' was used, which evolved into 'Hindustān.' The Greeks called it 'Indoi,' and the Chinese referred to it as 'Yindu.'

7. How did the Persians and Greeks refer to India?
Ans: The Persians referred to India as 'Hind' or 'Hindu,' which was derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sindhu,' referring to the Indus River. The Greeks later adapted this name, calling the region 'Indoi' or 'Indike,' which evolved into 'India' in later European languages.

8. What is the significance of the term ‘Bhārata’ in Indian history?
Ans: The term ‘Bhārata’ has been significant in Indian history, as it refers to the land of the Bharata people, a group mentioned in the Rig Veda. It was later used to describe the entire Indian Subcontinent in ancient texts like the Mahābhārata and continues to be used as an official name for India.

9. Why is India referred to as 'India, that is Bharat' in the Constitution?
Ans: India is referred to as 'India, that is Bharat' in the Constitution to acknowledge both the ancient and modern names of the country. 'Bharat' is an ancient name rooted in India's history and cultural heritage, while 'India' is a name more widely recognized internationally.

10. How did Chinese scholars refer to India, and why was it significant?
Ans: Chinese scholars referred to India as 'Yindu' and 'Tianzhu.' 'Yindu' is derived from the Sanskrit 'Sindhu,' while 'Tianzhu' means 'heavenly master,' reflecting the respect China had for India as the land of Buddhism. This highlights the cultural and religious exchange between ancient China and India.

11. How did the name ‘Hindustān’ come into use, and what does it signify?
Ans: The term 'Hindustān' was first used in a Persian inscription about 1,800 years ago and later became the common name used by invaders and rulers to describe the Indian Subcontinent. The name is derived from 'Hindu,' which originally referred to the people and land around the Indus River. Over time, 'Hindustān' came to represent the broader region of the Indian Subcontinent, emphasising the historical and geographical connections between the various regions within it.

12. What are some of the natural boundaries of the Indian Subcontinent?
Ans: The Indian Subcontinent is naturally bounded by the Himalayas in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east. These natural barriers have historically protected the region and shaped its interactions with neighbouring regions and cultures, influencing trade, migration, and cultural exchanges.

13. How did different regions of India contribute to its ancient names?
Ans: Different regions of India contributed to its ancient names by being recognized in texts like the Mahābhārata and the Rig Veda. For example, 'Sapta Sindhava' refers to the northwest region with seven rivers, 'Kāshmīra' refers to modern Kashmir, 'Kurukṣhetra' refers to parts of modern Haryana, and 'Vanga' refers to Bengal. These regional names reflect the geographical diversity and cultural richness of ancient India, which were acknowledged in historical and religious texts.

14. What was the significance of Emperor Aśhoka using the name ‘Jambudvīpa’?
Ans: Emperor Aśhoka’s use of the name 'Jambudvīpa' to describe the Indian Subcontinent is significant because it reflects how the entire region was viewed as a unified entity during his reign around 250 BCE. By referring to India as 'Jambudvīpa' in his inscriptions, Aśhoka not only acknowledged the cultural and geographic unity of the land but also spread the message of peace, non-violence, and Buddhism throughout this vast region, leaving a lasting impact on Indian history.

15. How did the names 'India' and 'Bharat' evolve over time?
Ans: The name 'Bharat' evolved from the Rig Veda, where it referred to the Bharata tribe, and later, in the Mahābhārata, it referred to the whole Indian Subcontinent. 'India' comes from the Greek adaptation of 'Sindhu,' which became 'Indoi' and later 'Indike.' The Persians first referred to the region as 'Hind' from 'Sindhu,' and this name was passed on to the Greeks, leading to the modern name 'India.' Today, both 'India' and 'Bharat' are official names of the country.

16. Why is it important to study the various names India has had throughout history?
Ans: Studying the various names of India throughout history helps us understand how different cultures, both within India and from outside, perceived and interacted with the land. The evolution of names like 'Bhāratavarṣha,' 'Jambudvīpa,' 'Hindustān,' and 'India' reflects the changing political, cultural, and geographical landscapes over time. It also shows the influence of foreign civilizations, such as the Persians and Greeks, and highlights the rich diversity of India's historical and cultural heritage.

17. How does the term ‘Bhārata’ represent India’s cultural and historical unity?
Ans: The term ‘Bhārata’ represents India’s cultural and historical unity by linking the country to the Bharata tribe, one of the main groups mentioned in the Rig Veda. Over time, ‘Bhārata’ came to symbolise the entire Indian Subcontinent, as reflected in the Mahābhārata and other ancient texts. It represents the shared cultural heritage of the diverse regions within India and continues to be used as a unifying name for the country today, as seen in the Indian Constitution.

18. How did ancient texts like the Rig Veda and Mahābhārata shape the identity of India?
Ans: Ancient texts like the Rig Veda and Mahābhārata played a significant role in shaping the identity of India by recording the names of regions, rivers, and peoples. The Rig Veda’s reference to 'Sapta Sindhava' highlights the importance of the northwest region, while the Mahābhārata’s use of 'Bhāratavarṣha' shows the concept of India as a unified land. These texts not only shaped India’s geographical identity but also its cultural and religious traditions, which have endured for thousands of years.

19. Why did the Greeks drop the letter 'h' when naming India as 'Indoi'?
Ans: The Greeks dropped the letter 'h' when naming India as 'Indoi' because the Greek language did not have the letter 'h' in its alphabet. As a result, 'Hind' from Persian became 'Indoi' in Greek. This name further evolved into 'Indike' and later 'India,' showing how language barriers influenced the adaptation of names over time.

20. What role did foreign travellers like Xuanzang play in shaping the global understanding of India?
Ans: Foreign travellers like Xuanzang played a crucial role in shaping the global understanding of India by documenting their travels and experiences. Xuanzang visited many parts of India, studied Buddhism, and collected manuscripts, which he later translated into Chinese. His accounts provided valuable information about India’s culture, religion, and geography to the rest of the world, particularly China. Such travellers helped bridge cultural exchanges and brought knowledge of India to foreign lands.

Study with Extra Questions on India, That is Bharat 

1. What is the significance of the phrase ‘India, that is Bharat’ in the Indian Constitution?
Ans: The phrase ‘India, that is Bharat’ in the Indian Constitution highlights the dual identity of the country. It acknowledges both the ancient cultural heritage of 'Bharat' and the modern, internationally recognized name 'India,' emphasising the continuity between India’s past and present.

2. How did the Persian term 'Hind' influence the naming of India?
Ans: The Persian term 'Hind' was derived from 'Sindhu,' the Sanskrit name for the Indus River. This term was used by the Persians to refer to the land around the Indus River and eventually influenced the Greek name 'Indoi' and the modern name 'India.'

3. How does the Mahābhārata describe different regions of India?
Ans: The Mahābhārata describes different regions of India by listing various geographical areas and their names, such as Kāshmīra (Kashmir), Kurukṣhetra (Haryana), and Vanga (Bengal). This reflects the vastness and diversity of the Indian Subcontinent, even in ancient times.

4. What does the name 'Jambudvīpa' signify in Indian history?
Ans: 'Jambudvīpa' signifies the Indian Subcontinent and translates to 'the island of the jamun tree.' It was used in ancient texts to describe the entire region, symbolising India’s natural environment and its connection to the land.

5. Why is it important to understand how foreigners referred to India in ancient times?
Ans: Understanding how foreigners referred to India in ancient times is important because it shows how India was perceived by outside cultures and civilizations. Names like 'Hind,' 'Indoi,' and 'Yindu' reflect India’s significance in global trade, religion, and cultural exchanges. They also highlight the historical interactions between India and other regions, such as Persia, Greece, and China.

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