Chapter 5 Class 6 Social Science Solutions NCERT,
India, That Is Bharat of History Chapter 5 Class 6 Social Science,
Class 6 Social Science Chapterwise Complete Solutions,
Summary of Chapter 5: India, That Is Bharat:
India has not always been the same as it is today. Its borders, states, and even its names have changed over thousands of years. Long ago, this region was known by different names, and we learn about these names from ancient books, travellers’ writings, and old inscriptions.
Ancient Names of India:
Sapta Sindhava:
The Rig Veda, the oldest Indian text, calls northwest India “Sapta Sindhava”, which means Land of Seven Rivers. The name comes from the word Sindhu, meaning the Indus River.
Bhāratavarṣha:
The whole Indian Subcontinent was first called “Bhāratavarṣha”, meaning the land of the Bharatas.
Jambudvīpa:
Another early name was “Jambudvīpa”, meaning the island of the jamun (jambul) tree.
Around 250 BCE, Emperor Ashoka used the name “Jambudvīpa” in his inscriptions to refer to his vast empire, which included present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Afghanistan.
Bharat:
A few centuries later, “Bhārata” became the commonly used name for the entire region.
The name continues even today—written as “Bharat” in North India and “Bharatam” in South India.
Ancient Geography:
A poem from ancient Tamil literature (2,000 years old) describes India from:
South: Cape Kumari
North: The great Himalayan mountains
East & West: The surrounding oceans
This shows that ancient Indians already had a good understanding of the geography of their land.
How Foreigners Named India:
Different foreign civilizations gave India names based on their understanding of the land and its people.
Most of these names came from the word “Sindhu”, the ancient name of the Indus River.
1. Persian Name for India ( Hindu):
The Persians (from Iran) were the first foreigners to mention India.
In the 6th century BCE, a Persian emperor conquered the Indus region.
They pronounced “Sindhu” as “Hind,” “Hidu,” or “Hindu.”
In ancient Persian, “Hindu” was a geographical word, not a religious one.
2. Greek Name for India ( Indike):
The Greeks learned about India from the Persians.
Since Greek had no sound for “h,” they dropped it.
They called the region “Indoi” or “Indike.”
3. Chinese Name for India ( Yindu and Tianzhu):
The ancient Chinese also interacted with India.
They called it “Yintu” or “Yindu”, which came from:
Sindhu → Hindhu → Indu → Yindu
Another Chinese name was “Tianzhu”, which could mean heavenly master, showing their respect for India as the land of the Buddha.
4. The Name “Hindustān”
The term “Hindustān” was first used in a Persian inscription about 1,800 years ago.
Later, many invaders used “Hindustān” to describe the whole Indian Subcontinent.
The Big Questions?
1. How do we define India?
Answer.
India today is a modern nation with clearly defined borders, states, and a known population. But historically, India was not like the present day as we know it now.
In the past, it was a large region known as the Indian Subcontinent, made up of many kingdoms, cultures, and communities.
We define India by understanding its:
Geography – the land stretching from the Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south.
Culture and traditions – The Whole Indian subcontinent has shared history, languages, religions, and knowledge systems.
Historical sources – ancient texts, inscriptions, and accounts of travellers that describe the land and its people.
Today, India is officially known as India / Bharat, both names recognized in the Constitution.
2. What were the ancient names for India?
Answer.
India has been known by many names throughout history. Some important ancient names are:
1. Sapta Sindhava
Mentioned in the Rig Veda.
Means “Land of Seven Rivers.”
2. Bharatavarsha (Bharata)
Mentioned in the Mahabharata and many ancient texts.
Means “Land of the Bharatas.”
Represents the entire Indian Subcontinent.
3. Jambudvipa
Means “Island of the Jamun (Jambu) tree.”
Used in ancient Indian literature and Ashoka’s inscriptions to refer to the whole region.
4. Hind / Hindu / Hidu (Persian)
Persians adapted the word “Sindhu.”
A geographical name, not related to religion at that time.
5. Indoi / Indike (Greek)
Greek version of the Persian word “Hindu.”
They dropped the letter “h” and transformed it into “Indoi.”
6. Yindu / Yintu/Tianzhu (Chinese)
Chinese adaptation of the word “Sindhu.”
Another Chinese name was “Tianzhu”, which could mean heavenly master, showing their respect for India as the land of the Buddha.
Questions, activities and projects
1. Discuss what could be the meaning of the quotation at the start of the chapter.
Answer.
The quotation suggests that India has always been a land of great diversity — in its people, languages, cultures, religions, and geography.
The quotation encourages us to understand that India’s unity lies in its diversity, and this has developed over thousands of years.
2. True or false?
1. The Ṛig Veda describes the entire geography of India.
2. The Viṣhṇu Purāṇa describes the entire Subcontinent.
3. In Aśhoka’s time, ‘Jambudvīpa’ included what is today India, parts of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
4. The Mahābhārata lists many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.
5. The term ‘Hindustān’ first appeared in a Greek inscription more than 2,000 years ago.
6. In ancient Persian, the word ‘Hindu’ refers to the Hindu religion.
7. ‘Bhārata’ is a name given to India by foreign travellers.
Answer.
1. The Ṛig Veda describes the entire geography of India.
False — It describes mainly the northwest region, called Sapta Sindhava.
2. The Viṣhṇu Purāṇa describes the entire Subcontinent.
True — It uses the term Bhārata for the whole region.
3. In Aśhoka’s time, ‘Jambudvīpa’ included what is today India, parts of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
True — Ashoka used ‘Jambudvīpa’ to describe his vast empire and surrounding areas.
4. The Mahābhārata lists many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.
True — These regions are mentioned in the text.
5. The term ‘Hindustān’ first appeared in a Greek inscription more than 2,000 years ago.
False — It first appeared in a Persian inscription, not Greek.
6. In ancient Persian, the word ‘Hindu’ refers to the Hindu religion.
False — It was purely geographical, based on the river Sindhu.
7. ‘Bhārata’ is a name given to India by foreign travellers.
False — It is an Indian name found in Indian texts like the Mahābhārata
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!
Answer.
If I were born around 2,000 years ago and had the chance to name our country, I would name it “Devsthal”, which means “The Land of the Gods”.
The name “Devsthal” would also highlight the idea that India was not just a geographical region, but a spiritual centre where people sought peace, knowledge, and enlightenment. Its natural beauty — rivers like the Ganga, mountains like the Himalayas, and fertile plains — added to its sacred character.
Therefore, I feel “Devsthal” would be a meaningful and fitting name for the country, reflecting its cultural, spiritual, and natural richness.
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.
People travelled to India in ancient times for many reasons. The following are some main motivations:
1. Trade and Wealth
India was famous for spices, textiles, precious stones, metals, and fine craftsmanship. Traders came to buy and sell goods.
2. Religion and Pilgrimage
Many travellers came to learn about:
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Sacred sites, monasteries, and temples.
3. Education and Knowledge
India had famous learning centres like Takshashila and Nalanda, attracting students from China, Greece, and Central Asia.
4. Adventure and Exploration
Travellers wanted to discover new places, new cultures, and new lands.
5. Political Reasons
Some people came to:
- form alliances,
- fight wars,
- or expand empires.
6. Migration and Settlement
Groups moved to India seeking:
- fertile land,
- better climate,
- or safety during conflicts.
Chapter-Wise Solutions of Class 6 Social Science
- Chapter 1 | Locating Places on Earth
- Chapter 2 | Oceans and Continents
- Chapter 3 | Landforms and Life
- Chapter 4 | Timeline and Sources of History
- Chapter 5 | India, That Is Bharat
- Chapter 6 | The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
- Chapter 7 | India’s Cultural Roots
- Chapter 8 | Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’
- Chapter 9 | Family and Community
- Chapter 10 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 1 Governance
- Chapter 11 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Local Government in Rural Areas
- Chapter 12 | Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government in Urban Areas
- Chapter 13 | The Value of Work
- Chapter 14 | Economic Activities Around Us
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