Chapter - 5 India, That is Bharat

Chapter - 5  India, That is Bharat

Today, India known as:- It is known as modern nation, defined with borders, states and known population

• Do you know 2,000 or 5,000 years ago this region of the world, often called the "Indian Subcontinent". 
• In the course of history, India has been called by many names -- by its inhabitants and by visitors from outside.  
• These names come to us from aancient text, accounts of travellers and pilgrims, and inscriptions.

Inhabitants:- People who live in a particular place.

How Indians Names India:-

Land of Seven Rivers:- What Does It Mean?

• In ancient times, the region of North-Western India and Pakistan was called "Sapta Sindhu" (Sindhava) in Sanskrit.
• "Sapta" means seven and "Sindhu" means river.
• So, Sapta Sindhu = Land of Seven Rivers.

We see names for other parts of India appear in the literature:- The Mahabharata, one of the greatest epics of ancient India, mentions the names of many regions and kingdoms across the Indian subcontinent.

• Kashmira - Kashmir
• Kurukshetra - Part of today's Haryana
• Vanga - Parts of Bengal
• Pragjyotisha - Today's Assam 
• Kaccha - Today's Kutch

Name for the entire Indian Subcontinent:

1. Bharatvarsha 

• This is one of the oldest names for our country.
• The text includes the names of numerous rivers and people.
• The name "Bharat" is mentioned in old holy books like the Rigveda
• It refers to an ancient king named Bharat, who was a brave and wise ruler.

2. Jambudvipa – The Second Name of India:- Meaning of Jambudvipa:

• Jambu = The Jambu tree (Indian blackberry or jamun tree)
• Dvipa = Island or continent
• So, Jambudvipa means “the land of the fruit of the Jamun tree” or “island of the Jambu tree.”
• It describe whole India and include Parts of Pakistan, Bangladesh, as well as parts of Afghanistan.

North India it is generally Bharata 

South India it is often called 'Bharatam'

Today, our Constitution also uses this name:- "India, that is Bharat…"

How Foreigners Named India:

• This India name came from foreigners.
• The Persians, were the ancient inhabitants of Iran during 6th century BCE.
• Long ago, the river Indus was called Sindhu in Sanskrit.
• The Persians could not say "S", so they said "Hindu" instead of "Sindhu".
• Later, the Greeks and Romans called the land near the Indus river "India".
• So, India became the name used in English and by people around the world.

Sindhu ----------- Hindhu---------------Indoi/Indike

The ancient Chinese also intereacted with India:

Sindhu-------------Hindhu----------------Indu-----------Yindu

The Chinese name "Tianzhu" is another ancient name for India, and it also has roots connected to the word "Sindhu" — just like "India" and "Hindustan."

Hindustan – The Name 1800 Years Ago

• The word "Hindustan" comes from the Persian language.
• About 1800 years ago, Persians and other Central Asian people came into contact with India.
• It describe the Subcontinent.

NCERT QUESTIONS

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

Quotation:- "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."

Answer. 1 - A long time ago, India became spiritually and culturally united, and this unity became a natural part of the lives of all the people living between the Himalayas and the surrounding seas.

Q.2 - True or false

1. The Rigveda describes the entire geography of India.
2. The Vishnu Purana describes the entire Subcontinent.
3. In Ashoka's time, 'Jambudvipa' included what is today India, parts of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
4. The Mahabharata lists many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.
5. The term 'Hindustan' first appeared in a Greekinscription more than 2,000 years ago.
6. Inn ancient Persian, the word 'Hindu' refers to theHindu religion.
7. 'Bharata' is a name given to India by foreign travellers.

 Answers.2- (1 - F) (2-T) (3-T) (4-T) (5-F ) (6-F ) (7-F ) 

Q.3- If your were born some2,000 years ago and had the chance to name our country, what name or names might you have chosen, and why? Use your imagination!

Answer.3- If I had the chance to name our country 2,000 years ago, I would name it "Suryavarta".

• "Surya" means Sun, and "Varta" means Land or Path.
• So, "Suryavarta" means "Land of the Sun".

Why this name?

• India is a land of light, knowledge, and wisdom — just like the sun.
• Many people in ancient India worshipped the Sun, and it was seen as a source of life and energy.
• The sun rises first in the east, and India is in the east — so it's like the first land to greet the sun.

Q.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)

Answer.4- People traveled to India in ancient times for:

• Trade
• Religion and learning
• Education
• Power and conquest
• Cultural exchange