Class 6 Social Science Question Answers Chapter 5

India, That Is Bharat

Question 1. Discuss what could be the meaning of the quotation at the start of the chapter.

Answers:

In India at a very early time the spiritual and cultural unity was
made complete and became the very stuff of the life of all this great
surge of humanity between the Himalayas and the two seas.

Meaning : The quotation at the start of the chapter, attributed to Sri Aurobindo, emphasizes the spiritual and cultural unity of India that developed early in its history. This unity became an integral part of life for the diverse people living between the Himalayas and the surrounding seas. It suggests that, despite the geographical and cultural diversity, there was a shared sense of identity and common values that connected the people of the Indian subcontinent, forming the foundation of what we now know as India.

Question 2. True or false?

(a) The Ṛig Veda describes the entire geography of India.

False – The Rig Veda mentions regions like the Sapta Sindhava (land of seven rivers), but it does not describe the entire geography of India.

(b) The Viṣhṇu Purāṇa describes the entire Subcontinent.

True – The Vishnu Purana does describe the region that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains as Bhārata, which refers to the entire subcontinent.

(c) In Aśhoka’s time, ‘Jambudvīpa’ included what is today India, parts of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

True – Jambudvīpa was a term used during Aśhoka’s time to describe the region that included present-day India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

(d) The Mahābhārata lists many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.

True – The Mahābhārata mentions many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.

(e) The term ‘Hindustān’ first appeared in a Greek inscription more than 2,000 years ago.

False – The term ‘Hindustān’ was first used in a Persian inscription, not in a Greek inscription.

(f) In ancient Persian, the word ‘Hindu’ refers to the Hindu religion.

False – In ancient Persian, the word ‘Hindu’ was a geographical term, referring to the land around the Indus River, not to the Hindu religion.

(g) ‘Bhārata’ is a name given to India by foreign travellers.

False – ‘Bhārata’ is a name that originated from Indian sources, particularly from the ancient Vedic texts, not from foreign travelers.

Question 3. 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!

Answers: If I were born 2,000 years ago and had the chance to name our country, I might have chosen the name “Sangamadesh”. This name could symbolize the confluence (“Sangama”) of diverse cultures, traditions, and peoples that have coexisted and thrived together across the vast subcontinent. “Desh” means land or country, so “Sangamadesh” would represent a land where different rivers, cultures, and communities meet and blend, reflecting the rich diversity and unity that has defined India throughout its history.

Question 4. 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)”

Answers: People traveled to India from various parts of the world in ancient times for several reasons:

• Trade: India was known for its wealth, spices, textiles, and other valuable goods, attracting traders from distant lands.
• Religion and Pilgrimage: India was the birthplace of major religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, drawing pilgrims and scholars seeking spiritual knowledge.
• Education: Ancient India was home to renowned universities like Nalanda, attracting students and scholars interested in learning.
• Cultural Exchange: People came to India to experience and exchange ideas related to art, culture, and philosophy.
• Exploration and Conquest: Some traveled for exploration or conquest, aiming to expand their empires or territories.

The Big Questions (Page 75)

Question 1. How do we define India?

Answers: India can be defined as a region that has evolved over thousands of years, with shifting boundaries and various names. It is a subcontinent with a rich cultural and spiritual history, unified by its diverse yet interconnected traditions, and recognized today as a modern nation with defined borders.

Question 2. What were the ancient names for India?

Answers: Ancient names for India include “Sapta Sindhava” (land of the seven rivers), “Bharatavarsha” (the country of the Bharatas), and “Jambudvipa” (the island of the jamun tree), as mentioned in ancient texts like the Rig Veda and Mahabharata. These names reflect the geographical and cultural identity of the region in ancient times.