Chapter 5 – India: That is India

Chapter 5 – India: That is India

 

1. Name of India

• Our country is known by many names: Bharat, India, Hindustan.
• India: The name  is derived from the  river Indus.
  • The ancient Greeks and Iranians called the Indus River ‘Indos’ or ‘Hindos’ .
  • He called the land to the east of the Indus as   ‘India’.
• India : This name has been used since ancient times.
  • It is mentioned in the Rigveda,  which is based on the name of  ‘Bharata’, a tribal group living in northwestern India.
  • Later this name came to be used for the whole country.
• Hindustan : This word is also associated with the Indus River.
  • In medieval times,  the word  ‘Hind’ in Persian language was used for the region east of the Indus.
  • This word evolved into  ‘Hindustan’.
• In our Constitution, the country  has been called “India, that is Bharat”.

 

2. Unity in Diversity

• India is a  diverse country.
• The people here speak different languages, follow different religions, wear different clothes and eat different types of food.
• Despite diversity, we are all Indians. This is India’s ‘Unity in Diversity‘.

 

3. Geography of India

The geography of India is very diverse and this also contributes to the diversity of the country:

1. Mountains :

• • Himalayas:  The highest and largest mountain range in the world located in the north.
  • These mountains block the cold winds and help in the monsoon rains.

1. Northern Plains:

• •  Formed from fertile silt brought by rivers like Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra.
  • These areas are very fertile for agriculture and have a high population density.

iii.  Western Desert:

• • The Thar Desert is an arid and sandy region located in the western part of India.

1. Peninsular Plateau:

• • The Peninsular Plateau is a triangular-shaped landmass bounded by mountains and plains.
  • It is rich in minerals.

1. Coastal Plains:

• • India has coastal plains on its western and eastern edges.
  • These areas are important for fishing and trade.

1. Islands:

• • Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.

 

 

 

4. Historical Background of India

• India has a long and rich history.
• Various civilizations and empires have ruled this land.
• Ancient Civilizations:  Indus Valley Civilization.
• Empires: Maurya, Gupta, Mughal, and British Empire.
• These different periods have had a profound impact on the culture, art, language and religion of India.

 

5. Home to Various Religions

• India is the birthplace of many major religions and is home to many other religions.
• Major religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism.
• This religious diversity presents a unique example of tolerance and harmony.

 

6. Diverse Languages

• Thousands of languages and dialects  are spoken in India.
•  There are 22 languages recognized as official languages by the Constitution.
• This linguistic diversity is an important part of the country’s cultural richness.

 

7. Features of Indian Culture

• Culture of Assimilation:
  • Over the centuries, different cultures, traditions and ideas have arrived in India.
  • Indians have assimilated these influences into their culture, creating a unique and diverse cultural heritage.
•  Festivals:
  • India is a land of festivals.
  • People of different religions and regions celebrate various festivals, which reflect the diversity of the country.
• Art and Literature :
  • India has a rich tradition of art, music, dance and literature.
  • Different regions have their own unique art styles and literary traditions.