NCERT Solutions class 6 Social-Science Chapter 5. India, That Is Bharat Extra Questions With Solutions

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Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 Marks)

Q1. What is the origin of the name ‘India’?
Answer: The name ‘India’ comes from the River Indus (Sindhu).

Q2. Which ancient text mentions the name ‘Bharat’?
Answer: The Rigveda mentions the name ‘Bharat’.

Q3. What does ‘Jambudvipa’ refer to?
Answer: It refers to the Indian subcontinent during ancient times.

Q4. Which language used the term ‘Hindu’ to describe people living beyond the Sindhu river?
Answer: Ancient Persian.

Q5. Name one ancient traveller who visited India.
Answer: Megasthenes.

Q6. What does a subcontinent mean?
Answer: A large, distinct landmass separated by geographical features.

Q7. Which mountains protect India in the north?
Answer: The Himalayas.

Q8. What connects India with the rest of the world through the sea?
Answer: Its long coastline and ports.

Short Answer Questions (3–4 Marks)

Q1. Why did people from different regions come to India in ancient times?
Answer: People came to India for trade, learning, religious travel, exploration and cultural exchange. India was famous for its wealth, spices, textiles and knowledge, attracting traders, monks, scholars and travellers.

Q2. How did India’s geography contribute to its diversity?
Answer: India has mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts and coastal areas. These varied landforms led to different lifestyles, languages, foods, occupations and traditions, creating vast cultural diversity.

Q3. What role did rivers play in shaping early Indian civilization?
Answer: Rivers like the Indus and Ganga provided fertile soil, water for farming, transport routes and helped in the growth of settlements, trade and culture.

Q4. Why are ancient texts important for understanding India’s past?
Answer: Ancient texts like the Vedas and epics describe regions, people, events, beliefs and social life. They help historians understand how people lived and how India evolved.

Long Answer Questions (5–6 Marks)

Q1. Explain the different names of India mentioned in ancient sources and what they reveal about the region.
Answer: India has been known by several names. ‘India’ comes from the Indus River, showing the river’s importance in early civilization. ‘Bharat’ appears in the Rigveda and refers to a tribe or land, showing cultural unity. ‘Jambudvipa’ in ancient texts describes the larger subcontinent. Persian texts used ‘Hindu’ for people beyond the Sindhu. These names show India’s geographical identity, cultural connections and recognition by foreign travellers.

Q2. Describe the factors that made India a major centre of attraction for travellers and traders from ancient times.
Answer: India’s rich natural resources, fertile plains, skilled craftspeople and famous spices attracted traders. Its universities, such as Takshashila and Nalanda, drew scholars. Religious centres attracted monks and pilgrims. Its location between East and West enabled sea and land trade routes. Cultural openness and economic prosperity made India a major centre of interaction for travellers worldwide.

Q3. How did India’s physical features shape its history and culture?
Answer: The Himalayas protected India from invasions and influenced climate. River plains supported agriculture and early civilizations. Plateaus provided minerals and trade routes. Coastal regions connected India with foreign lands through maritime trade. Deserts, forests and mountains created cultural, linguistic and lifestyle differences. These physical features shaped settlements, occupations, traditions and regional identities, forming India’s diverse cultural landscape.