India, That Is Bharat NCERT Solutions | Social Studies (SST) Class 6 PDF Download

Questions, Activities and Projects

Q1: Discuss what could be the meaning of the quotation at the start of the chapter.
Ans: The quotation by Sri Aurobindo suggests that India's spiritual and cultural unity was established early on and became an integral part of life for the people living between the Himalayas and the seas. It emphasizes the deep-rooted cultural connections and shared heritage that define the Indian subcontinent.

Q2: True or false?

• The Rig Veda describes the entire geography of India.
  Ans: False. The Rig Veda mainly describes the northwest region of the subcontinent as 'Sapta Sindhava'.
• The Vishnu Purana describes the entire Subcontinent.
  Ans: True. The Vishnu Purana refers to the entire subcontinent as 'Bharata'.
• In Ashoka’s time, ‘Jambudvipa’ included what is today India, parts of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
  Ans: True. Ashoka used 'Jambudvipa' to describe the entire region.
• The Mahabharata lists many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.
  Ans: True. The Mahabharata mentions many regions, such as Kashmira, Kaccha, and Kerala.
• The term ‘Hindustan’ first appeared in a Greek inscription more than 2,000 years ago.
  Ans: False. The term 'Hindustan' first appeared in a Persian inscription about 1,800 years ago.
• In ancient Persian, the word ‘Hindu’ refers to the Hindu religion.
  Ans: False. In ancient Persian, 'Hindu' was a geographical term referring to the region around the Indus River.
• ‘Bharata’ is a name given to India by foreign travellers.
  Ans: False. 'Bharata' is a name given by the ancient inhabitants of India.

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!
Ans: If I were born 2,000 years ago, I might have named the country 'Sarasvatidesh' in honor of the Sarasvati River, which is often mentioned in ancient texts as a sacred and significant river. This name would reflect the importance of rivers in sustaining life and culture.

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)
Ans: People traveled to India in ancient times for various reasons:

• Trade: India was known for its rich resources, including spices, textiles, and precious stones, which attracted traders.
• Pilgrimage: India was a center for religious activities and the birthplace of major religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, drawing pilgrims.
• Education: Renowned educational institutions like Nalanda University attracted scholars and students.
• Conquest and Exploration: Invaders and explorers sought to conquer new territories and learn about different cultures.
• Cultural Exchange: Artists, musicians, and intellectuals visited India to exchange cultural knowledge and practices.

The Big Questions

Q1: How do we define India?
Ans: India is defined as a modern nation with specific borders, states, and a known population. Historically, it has been a region with shifting boundaries and different names such as 'Bharat', 'Hindustan', and 'Jambudvipa'.

Q2: What were the ancient names for India?
Ans: Ancient names for India include 'Sapta Sindhava', 'Bharatavarsha', 'Jambudvipa', 'Hind', 'Hindu', 'Indoi', 'Indike', 'Yintu', and 'Tianzhu'. These names were derived from texts like the Rig Veda, Mahabharata, and inscriptions by ancient rulers like Ashoka.

Let's Explore

Page 78

Q: 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.
Ans: From the map in Fig. 5.4 on page 79 of Chapter 5, the recognizable regions listed are: