INDIA THAT IS BHARAT : CLASS 6 : SOCIAL SCIENCE
SUMMARY
The name India is derived from the Indus (Sindhu) river.
The name Bharat comes from the Bharata tribe mentioned in the Rigveda.
Ancient names of India: Jambudvipa, Aryavarta, Hindustan, Bharatavarsha.
India is the 7th largest country in the world by area and 2nd in population.
Surrounded by Himalayas in the north, Indian Ocean in the south, Arabian Sea in the west, and Bay of Bengal in the east.
Neighboring countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives.
Southern India is a peninsula (land surrounded by sea on three sides).
Travellers like Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang, Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta wrote about India.
India is famous for Unity in Diversity – many languages, religions, traditions, but one nation.
SHORT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: From which river does the name India come?
A: Indus (Sindhu) river.
Q: What is another official name of India?
A: Bharat.
Q: Which ancient text mentions Bharat?
A: Rigveda.
Q: Which ancient name of India means “land of Aryans”?
A: Aryavarta.
Q: Which ancient name means “island of the rose-apple tree”?
A: Jambudvipa.
Q: What is India’s rank in the world by population?
A: Second.
Q: What is India’s rank in the world by area?
A: Seventh.
Q: Which mountain range is in the north of India?
A: Himalayas.
Q: Which ocean lies south of India?
A: Indian Ocean.
Q: Which sea lies to the west of India?
A: Arabian Sea.
Q: Which bay lies to the east of India?
A: Bay of Bengal.
Q: Which countries are India’s western neighbors?
A: Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Q: Which countries are India’s northern neighbors?
A: China, Nepal, Bhutan.
Q: Which countries are India’s eastern neighbors?
A: Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Q: Which countries are India’s southern neighbors (across the sea)?
A: Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Q: What kind of landform is southern India?
A: Peninsula.
Q: Who wrote Indica about India?
A: Megasthenes.
Q: Who was Al-Biruni?
A: A Persian scholar who studied Indian culture.
Q: Who was Ibn Battuta?
A: A Moroccan traveller who visited India in the 14th century.
Q: What is the main feature of Indian culture?
A: Unity in diversity.
LONG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Explain the origin of the name India.
A: The name India comes from the Indus (Sindhu) river. The Greeks called it Indos, which became India.
Q: How did the name Bharat come into use?
A: Bharat comes from the Bharata tribe mentioned in the Rigveda and also from a legendary king named Bharata.
Q: Mention four ancient names of India.
A: Jambudvipa, Aryavarta, Hindustan, Bharatavarsha.
Q: Why is India called a subcontinent?
A: Due to its vast size, geographical variety, and separate identity within Asia.
Q: Describe India’s physical boundaries.
A: Himalayas in the north, Indian Ocean in the south, Arabian Sea in the west, Bay of Bengal in the east.
Q: List India’s neighboring countries.
A: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives.
Q: Why is southern India called a peninsula?
A: Because it is surrounded by water on three sides.
Q: What is the importance of the Himalayas for India?
A: They protect India, influence the climate, and provide rivers.
Q: How do rivers influence Indian civilization?
A: They provide fertile soil, water, transport, and trade routes.
Q: What did Megasthenes write about India?
A: He wrote Indica, describing India’s society, administration, and culture.
Q: Who was Fa-Hien and what did he write?
A: A Chinese traveller (5th century CE) who described monasteries and Buddhism in India.
Q: Who was Hiuen Tsang?
A: A 7th-century Chinese scholar who studied at Nalanda and wrote about Indian religion and education.
Q: Who was Al-Biruni and what did he contribute?
A: A Persian scholar who wrote Tahqiq-i-Hind about India’s science and culture.
Q: Who was Ibn Battuta?
A: A Moroccan traveller who visited India during the Delhi Sultanate and wrote about its society.
Q: How does India show unity in diversity?
A: Despite many religions, languages, and traditions, Indians share a common identity.
Q: What does Aryavarta mean?
A: The land of the Aryans, as mentioned in Sanskrit texts.
Q: What does Jambudvipa mean?
A: “Island of the Rose-apple Tree,” an ancient name for India.
Q: Why is India both called India and Bharat today?
A: Because both names reflect India’s ancient and modern heritage.
Q: Why are travellers’ accounts important for Indian history?
A: They provide detailed descriptions of India’s society, economy, and culture.
Q: How does geography influence Indian history?
A: Mountains protected India, rivers supported farming, and seas helped trade and cultural exchange.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
The name India comes from:
a) Ganga
b) Indus ✅
c) Yamuna
d) Saraswati
The name Bharat comes from:
a) Bharata tribe ✅
b) Chandragupta
c) Ashoka
d) Alexander
Which text mentions Bharat?
a) Bible
b) Rigveda ✅
c) Quran
d) Zend Avesta
Aryavarta means:
a) Land of Aryans ✅
b) Land of rivers
c) Land of Hindus
d) Land of kings
Jambudvipa means:
a) Island of Rose-apple tree ✅
b) Land of Aryans
c) Land of oceans
d) Land of gods
India is the ___ largest country by area.
a) 5th
b) 6th
c) 7th ✅
d) 8th
India is the ___ most populated country.
a) 1st
b) 2nd ✅
c) 3rd
d) 4th
Which mountain range is in the north?
a) Vindhyas
b) Himalayas ✅
c) Aravallis
d) Satpura
Which ocean lies south of India?
a) Pacific
b) Indian ✅
c) Atlantic
d) Arctic
Which sea is west of India?
a) Arabian Sea ✅
b) Red Sea
c) Caspian Sea
d) Bay of Bengal
Which bay is east of India?
a) Hudson Bay
b) Bay of Bengal ✅
c) Persian Gulf
d) Gulf of Mannar
Southern India is a:
a) Island
b) Peninsula ✅
c) Plateau
d) Mountain
Who wrote Indica?
a) Megasthenes ✅
b) Hiuen Tsang
c) Ibn Battuta
d) Al-Biruni
Fa-Hien was from:
a) China ✅
b) Persia
c) Greece
d) Arabia
Who was Al-Biruni?
a) Greek writer
b) Persian scholar ✅
c) Chinese traveller
d) Arab merchant
Hiuen Tsang visited:
a) Takshashila
b) Nalanda ✅
c) Ujjain
d) Pataliputra
Ibn Battuta was from:
a) China
b) Morocco ✅
c) Persia
d) Greece
Which is a unique feature of India?
a) Many languages
b) Unity in diversity ✅
c) One language
d) One religion
India is bordered in the north by:
a) Thar desert
b) Himalayas ✅
c) Vindhyas
d) Satpuras
Official names of our country are:
a) India and Hindustan
b) India and Bharat ✅
c) Bharat and Aryavarta
d) Hindustan and Rigveda
