How do we define India? Class 6
How do we define India? Class 6
The Big Questions (Page 75)
Question 1.
How do we define India? Class 6
Answer:
India can be defined as ancient India and modern India.
Ancient India goes back to about 250 BCE, included modern India, today’s Bangladesh, Pakistan as well as part of Afghanistan. The Emperor Ashok ruled over the whole of India in and around 250 BCE. In ancient India many famous text like Mahabharata, Vedas, Vishnu Purana etc. were written. People had knowledge of geography and administration. .
Modern India has defined borders, defined states and a known population. India is a union of states, has a written constitution and is rule by a democratic government.
Question 2.
What were the ancient names for India? Class 6
Answer:
India has had many ancient names throughout its history. Some of the most notable ones include:
- Jambudvipa: This name means ‘the island of the fruit of the jamun tree’ and was used to refer to the Indian Subcontinent.
- Bharata: This name comes from ancient texts and refers to the land of the Bharatas, a group of people mentioned in the Vedas. It is still used today as a name for modem India.
- Bharatavarsha: This term means ‘the country of the Bharatas’ and refers to the entire Indian Subcontinent.
- Sapta Sindhava: This name means ‘the land of the seven rivers’ and refers to the region around the Indus River.
- Persians: Referred to India as ‘Hind’, ‘Hidu’ or ‘Hindu’ or ‘Hindustan’.
- Greeks: Named the region Indoi or Indike.
- Chinese: They referred to India as Yintu or Yindu.