Exploring India: History and Culture

How do we define India?

What were the ancient names for India?

What are its natural boundaries that you can make out?

Do you recognise the names of any regions given in the map on page 79? List the ones that you have heard of.

Have you identified the ‘snowy mountains’? Do you think this brief description of Bhārata is correct?

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

True or false? The Ṛig Veda describes the entire geography of India.

• True

• False

True or false? The Viṣhṇu Purāṇa describes the entire Subcontinent.

• True

• False

True or false? In Aśhoka’s time, ‘Jambudvīpa’ included what is today India, parts of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

• True

• False

True or false? The Mahābhārata lists many regions, including Kashmir, Kutch, and Kerala.

• True

• False