Ancient India: Aurobindo's Perspective
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Questions and Answers

What is the ancient description of India according to Sri Aurobindo?

  • A land of spiritual and cultural unity (correct)
  • A territory defined by borders
  • A region of rich history
  • A nation of diverse cultures

    • India has always had the same defined borders.

    False

    What term is often used to refer to the geographic area that includes India?

    Indian Subcontinent

    India has been called by many names, both by its inhabitants and by __________ from outside.

    <p>visitors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following historical time periods with their descriptions:

    <p>500 years ago = Defined states and borders starting to form 2000 years ago = Cultural practices evolving 5000 years ago = Early civilization development Today = Modern nation with known demographics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a focus of the chapter?

    <p>The economic development of India</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The current nation of India resembles its historical form from 2,000 years ago.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Sapta Sindhava' refer to?

    <p>The land of the seven rivers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Mahābhārata is considered one of India's ancient texts.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is quoted in the content about India's spiritual and cultural unity?

    <p>Sri Aurobindo</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one region mentioned in the Mahābhārata.

    <p>Kāshmīra</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The northwest region of the Indian Subcontinent is referred to as ______.

    <p>Sapta Sindhava</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following regions to their modern-day counterparts:

    <p>Kāshmīra = Kashmir Kaccha = Kutch Kurukṣhetra = Haryana Prāgjyotiṣha = Assam</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a region in the Mahābhārata?

    <p>Delhi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Indus River is also referred to as 'Sindhu'.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ancient text is considered India's most ancient text?

    <p>Ṛig Veda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the ancient name used to describe the whole of India?

    <p>Jambudvīpa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The name 'Bhārata' is a term that is no longer in use today.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which ancient text is the description of Bhārata mentioned?

    <p>Viṣhṇu Purāṇa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The country that lies north of the ocean and south of the ______ is called Bhārata.

    <p>snowy mountains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region is associated with 'Cape Kumari' mentioned in ancient Tamil literature?

    <p>South India</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Indian Constitution came into force in 1947.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the names of India with their respective regional variations:

    <p>Jambudvīpa = Whole of India Bhārata = General term for Indian Subcontinent Bharat = Northern spelling of Bhārata Bharatam = Southern spelling of Bhārata</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which regions were included in the ancient definition of Jambudvīpa?

    <p>India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and parts of Afghanistan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phrase is used at the beginning of the Indian Constitution?

    <p>India, that is Bharat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The first foreigners to mention India were the _______.

    <p>Persians</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The definition of India has always varied across different regions.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following elements with their respective details:

    <p>Cape Kumari = Southern tip of India The Great Mountain = Himalayas 1950 = Constitution came into force Persians = First foreigners to mention India</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between the terms 'Bharat' and 'Bharatam'?

    <p>'Bharat' is used in north India, while 'Bharatam' is often used in south India.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of 'Bhārat arthāth India'?

    <p>It is a phrase used in the Preamble of the Constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ancient Indians had a limited understanding of geography.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What document outlines the basic principles and laws of India?

    <p>The Indian Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term did ancient Greeks use to refer to the region known as India?

    <p>Indoi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'Hindu' originally referred to the Hindu religion in ancient Persian.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who traveled from China to India in the 7th century CE?

    <p>Xuanzang</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Persians referred to India as _____ in their earliest records.

    <p>Hind</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the original basis for the term 'Yindu' in ancient Chinese texts?

    <p>Sindhu</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The initial letter 'h' from 'Hindu' existed in the Greek language.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What adaptations did the Persians make from the original 'Sindhu'?

    <p>Hind, Hidu, Hindu</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the terms to their respective languages:

    <p>Sindhu = Persian Hindu = Greek Yindu = Chinese Indoi = Greek</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the duration of the Chinese scholar's visit to India?

    <p>17 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'Hindustān' was first used in a Chinese inscription.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What language did the Chinese scholar translate the manuscripts into?

    <p>Chinese</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The name that became widespread and is used in most Indian languages is __________.

    <p>Bhārata</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following names of India with their origins:

    <p>Tianzhu = Chinese Jambudvīpa = Ancient Indian Hindustān = Persian India = Latin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who did the ancient Chinese respect as the land of the Buddha?

    <p>India</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Several scholars from China visited India over the centuries.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the word 'Tianzhu' imply in addition to being derived from 'Sindhu'?

    <p>Heavenly master</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    India's Early History and Names

    • Early India had spiritual and cultural unity, encompassing the land between the Himalayas and the seas.
    • A scene from rural India, circa 2300 years ago, is depicted in Figure 5.1 (north gate of the Great Sanchi Stupa).

    Defining India

    • Today's India has defined borders, states, and a known population.
    • However, India's geography and names have changed significantly over time.

    Ancient Names for India

    • Ancient texts, travelers, and inscriptions reveal various names for India.
    • Inhabitants called it by many names.
    • Names like "Sapta Sindhava" referring to the land of the seven rivers (the Indus River and its tributaries).
    • "Bharata" is another significant name, and it’s mentioned in the Rig Veda, referring to a group of people, later describing the whole subcontinent
    • "Jambudvīpa" meaning the island of the jamun tree, also representing the land of India.

    Foreign Perspectives on India's Name

    • Persians referred to India as Hind, Hidu, or Hindu (an adaptation of Sindhu).
    • Greeks termed the region Indoi or Indike, dropping the initial "h" from Hindu.
    • Chinese called the region Tianzhu, reflecting respect for India as the land of the Buddha, or Yintu/Yindu, a derivation of Sindhu
    • The Persian term "Hindustan" appeared in inscriptions, around 1800 years ago
    • The Indian Constitution, written in English, refers to India as Bharat.

    Key Points

    • Geographical changes over time shaped the conceptualization of "India" across different cultures and time periods.
    • Ancient texts, such as the Mahabharata, provide insights into names and regions within the pre-modern framework of the Subcontinent.
    • The Indian Constitution, by incorporating "Bharat" in its English version, reflects the linguistic and cultural evolution of modern India.

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    India, That Is Bharat PDF

    Description

    Explore the ancient descriptions of India through the insights of Sri Aurobindo. This quiz covers historical names, geographical definitions, and significant texts like the Mahābhārata. Test your knowledge of India's cultural and spiritual unity as represented in ancient literature.

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