This MCQ module is based on: Names of India — India, That Is Bharat
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Names of India — India, That Is Bharat
🎓 Class 6
Social Science
CBSE
Theory
Ch 5 — India, That Is Bharat
⏱ ~15 min
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India, That Is Bharat
NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond | Chapter 5: India, That Is Bharat
Opening Reflection
Sri Aurobindo observed that at a very early time in India's history, a spiritual and cultural unity was achieved that became the very substance of life for the vast humanity inhabiting the land between the Himalayas and the two seas.-- Sri Aurobindo
Introduction -- A Land of Many Names
The India we know today is a modern nation with defined borders, recognised states, and a known population. Yet this region -- which we often call the 'Indian Subcontinent' -- has had many different names and shifting boundaries over thousands of years. Some names were given by its inhabitants?, while others came from visitors and travellers from distant lands. These names come to us from ancient texts, travellers' accounts, pilgrims' records, and inscriptions?.
THINK ABOUT IT -- Natural Boundaries
L2 UnderstandLook at a physical map of the Indian Subcontinent. What natural boundaries can you identify? The towering Himalayas to the north, the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south form a distinct geographical unit.
How Indians Named India
Sapta Sindhava -- The Land of Seven Rivers
The Rig Veda, India's most ancient text (several thousand years old), calls the northwest region of the Subcontinent 'Sapta Sindhava' -- the land of the seven rivers. The word 'Sindhava' comes from 'Sindhu', which refers to the Indus River or, more broadly, to rivers in general.
Regions in the Mahabharata
The Mahabharata, one of India's most celebrated texts, lists many regions across the Subcontinent, such as Kashmira (roughly today's Kashmir), Kurukshetra (parts of Haryana), Vanga (parts of Bengal), Pragjyotisha (roughly today's Assam), Kaccha (today's Kutch), and Kerala (more or less today's Kerala). This shows that ancient Indians had a detailed knowledge of their own geography.
LET'S EXPLORE -- Ancient Region Names
L3 ApplyLook at a map of ancient regions mentioned in the Mahabharata. Which of these names do you recognise? List the ones you have heard of and discuss with your classmates how these names may have changed over time.
Bharatavarsha and Jambudvipa
The Mahabharata uses two important terms to describe the entire Indian Subcontinent:
Bharatavarsha
Meaning 'the country of the Bharatas'. 'Bharata' first appears in the Rig Veda as one of the main Vedic groups. Later literature mentions several kings named Bharata.
Jambudvipa
Meaning 'the island of the jamun fruit'. The jamun (Malabar plum) tree is native to India. Emperor Ashoka (around 250 BCE) used this term in his inscriptions.
Bharata -- From Ocean to Mountains
Ancient Source -- Vishnu Purana
The Vishnu Purana declares: the country that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is called Bharata. This definition clearly encompasses the entire Indian Subcontinent.-- Vishnu Purana
This name, Bharata, has remained in use to this day. In north India, it is generally written as 'Bharat', while in south India, it is often 'Bharatam'. Ancient Tamil literature from about 2,000 years ago also describes a land stretching from Cape Kumari in the south to the great mountain in the north.
Don't Miss Out
The Indian Constitution?, originally written in English, uses the phrase 'India, that is Bharat' in its very first article. The Hindi version states the same as 'Bharat arthat India'.How Foreigners Named India
Persian Origins
The Persians, ancient inhabitants of Iran, were among the first foreigners to mention India. In the 6th century BCE, a Persian emperor gained control of the Indus River region (earlier called 'Sindhu'). The Persians adapted this name into their language as 'Hind', 'Hidu', or 'Hindu'. In ancient Persian, 'Hindu' was a purely geographical term -- it did not refer to the Hindu religion.
Greek and Chinese Adaptations
Based on the Persian sources, the ancient Greeks named the region 'Indoi' or 'Indike'. They dropped the initial 'h' because this letter did not exist in their language.
How the Name 'India' Evolved
Sindhu (Sanskrit)
↓
Hindu / Hind (Persian)
↓
Indoi / Indike (Greek)
↓
India (Latin / English)
Yindu / Tianzhu (Chinese)
↓
Hindustan (Persian, ~1,800 years ago)
The ancient Chinese referred to India as 'Yindu' or 'Yintu', also derived from 'Sindhu'. Another Chinese term, 'Tianzhu', could mean 'heavenly master', reflecting respect for India as the land of the Buddha.
Don't Miss Out
Xuanzang (formerly spelt Hiuen Tsang) was a Chinese Buddhist scholar who travelled to India in the 7th century CE. He visited many parts of India, met scholars, collected Buddhist manuscripts, and returned to China after 17 years.LET'S EXPLORE -- Many Names of India
L3 ApplyCan you complete this table of the many names of India?
| Language/Culture | Name for India |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit (Vedic) | Sapta Sindhava, Bharatavarsha, Jambudvipa |
| Persian | Hind / Hindu |
| Greek | Indoi / Indike |
| Latin / English | India |
| Chinese | Yindu / Tianzhu |
| Arabic & Persian (later) | Hindustan |
| French | Inde |
| Indian Constitution | India, that is Bharat |
Key Takeaways
Ancient Land, Many Names
India has been called by many names throughout history, given by both its inhabitants and foreign visitors.
Indigenous Names
Ancient Indians named their land 'Jambudvipa' and 'Bharata'. 'Bharata' became widespread and is used in most Indian languages today.
Foreign-Origin Names
Foreign visitors adopted names from 'Sindhu' (Indus River), resulting in 'Hindu', 'Indoi', and eventually 'India' and 'Hindustan'.
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Competency-Based Questions
Scenario: In a history class, the teacher shows the first page of the Indian Constitution. A student notices the phrase 'India, that is Bharat' and wonders why two names are used. Another student asks whether foreign names for India have any connection to Indian words.
Q1. The English word 'India' ultimately derives from which ancient Sanskrit word?
L2 UnderstandQ2. Emperor Ashoka used 'Jambudvipa' in his inscriptions around 250 BCE. What does this reveal about ancient Indians' geographical awareness?
L3 ApplyQ3. Compare the Indian-origin names (Bharata, Jambudvipa) with foreign-origin names (Hindu, India). How do they differ in what they emphasise?
L4 AnalyseCreative Q. If you were born 2,000 years ago, what name would you give our country and why?
L6 Create🎲 Variety Question Block
True or False
1. The Rig Veda describes the entire geography of India.
FalseThe Rig Veda mainly describes the northwest region ('Sapta Sindhava').
2. The Vishnu Purana describes the entire Subcontinent as 'Bharata'.
True3. In ancient Persian, 'Hindu' refers to the Hindu religion.
FalseIn ancient Persian, 'Hindu' was purely geographical, referring to the Indus River region.
4. 'Bharata' is a name given to India by foreign travellers.
False'Bharata' is an indigenous name from ancient Indian texts.
Match the Following
Sindhu
⟶
Sanskrit name for the Indus River
Xuanzang
⟶
Chinese scholar who visited India (7th century CE)
Jambudvipa
⟶
Island of the jamun fruit
Ashoka
⟶
Emperor who used 'Jambudvipa' in inscriptions
Creative / Open-Ended
✎Why did people from different parts of the world -- Persia, Greece, China -- all want to visit or learn about India? List at least four motivations for such long journeys.
Continue Learning -- Chapter 5: India, That Is Bharat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is covered in Class 6 History Chapter 5 Introduction -- A Land of Many Names?
This section of NCERT Class 6 History Chapter 5 covers Introduction -- A Land of Many Names, How Indians Named India, How Foreigners Named India. Students learn key concepts, definitions, and real-world applications through interactive activities, diagrams, and competency-based practice aligned with the CBSE curriculum.
What are the key concepts in this chapter for CBSE exams?
The key concepts include Introduction -- A Land of Many Names, How Indians Named India, How Foreigners Named India. Students should understand definitions, be able to explain cause-and-effect relationships, and apply these concepts to case-study questions as per CBSE competency-based question formats for Class 6 History.
How is this topic important for Class 6 board exams?
This topic from NCERT Class 6 History Chapter 5 is frequently tested in CBSE board exams through MCQs, short answers, and competency-based questions. Understanding the core concepts and practising application-based questions from this section is essential for scoring well.
What activities are included in this NCERT lesson?
This lesson includes interactive activities such as Think About It, Let us Explore, and discussion prompts aligned with NCERT pedagogy. These activities develop critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation skills as per Bloom's Taxonomy levels used in CBSE assessments.
How to study Class 6 History Chapter 5 effectively?
Study this chapter by first reading the NCERT text carefully, then reviewing all highlighted keywords and definitions. Practise the in-text activities, attempt CBQ-format questions, and revise using diagrams and summary tables. Focus on understanding concepts rather than rote memorisation.
Where can I find NCERT solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 5?
NCERT solutions for Class 6 History Chapter 5 are available on MyAISchool.in with detailed explanations for all exercise questions. The interactive lessons include CBQ practice, assertion-reason questions, and activity guidance aligned with CBSE guidelines.
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