Class 7 SST Part 2 Ch 2 NCERT Solution - India and her neighbours

Q & A —  6th   7th   8th   9th   10th

Questions and Activities (NCERT Based Questions)

Question 1. Explain who a maritime neighbour is in the context of India, using two examples.

Answer: Countries that are located across the sea near India and with which India has maritime connections are called maritime neighbours.

Examples:

• Sri Lanka: It is an island country located to the south of India. The Palk Strait lies between India and Sri Lanka.
• Maldives: It is an island country located in the Indian Ocean. India and the Maldives have trade, security and cultural relations.

Question 2. How has India established relations with its neighbours through Buddhism? Explain with examples.

Answer: Buddhism has strengthened religious, cultural and historical relations between India and its neighbouring countries. Buddhism spread from India to other countries through Buddhist monks and travellers.

For example, Mahendra, the son of Emperor Ashoka, and his daughter Sanghamitra spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Similarly, Buddhism also strengthened India's cultural relations with China and the countries of Southeast Asia.

Question 3. What is meant by the 'Open Border' policy? How does the 'Open Border' policy affect the lives of people living along the India-Nepal border?

Answer: The Open Border policy means that citizens of India and Nepal generally do not need regular entry permissions, such as visas, to travel between the two countries.

This policy provides several benefits to people living along the border:

• They can easily travel from one country to the other.
• They get opportunities for trade, employment and education.
• It becomes easier to meet family members and relatives.
• Cultural and social relations between the people of both countries become stronger.

Question 4. This chapter states, “Being neighbours is not limited to geography alone.” Explain this statement with an example.

Answer: This statement means that neighbouring countries are important not only because of their geographical proximity but also because of their historical, cultural, religious and trade relations.

Example: Although the sea lies between India and Sri Lanka, the two countries have had religious and cultural relations for a long time. The spread of Buddhism and shared traditions have connected the two countries.

Therefore, being neighbours is related not only to location but also to mutual relations and cooperation.

Question 5. In what ways has India helped the smaller countries in its neighbourhood? Explain with examples.

Answer: India has helped its smaller neighbouring countries in economic development, security, trade and during natural disasters.

Examples:

• Bhutan: India cooperates with Bhutan in hydropower projects. These projects help in Bhutan's economic development.
• Maldives: India provided assistance during the 2004 tsunami and the water crisis in Malé in 2014. India also helped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Nepal: Trade takes place between India and Nepal. India supplies essential goods to Nepal, such as medicines, petroleum products and food items.

In this way, India strengthens its relations with neighbouring countries through cooperation and assistance.

Question 6. How have shared challenges become opportunities for cooperation? Are there examples in this chapter that demonstrate this?

Answer: When two or more countries face similar problems, they can work together to find solutions. This increases cooperation between them.

There are several examples of this in the chapter:

• Natural disasters: India helped the Maldives during situations such as the tsunami and the water crisis.
• Water resources: Proper management of the waters of shared rivers between India and Bangladesh is an opportunity for cooperation for both countries.
• Environmental protection: India and Bangladesh can work together to protect the Sundarbans region.
• Maritime security: India and the Maldives work together to promote security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

Thus, shared challenges provide countries with opportunities to work together and strengthen mutual relations.

Question 7. If boundaries were created only on the basis of culture and relationships, what would the map look like?

Answer: If boundaries were created only on the basis of culture and relationships, the map would be different from today's political map.

Such a map would connect regions with similar languages, religions, food, festivals, trade and historical relations instead of showing political boundaries. For example, the cultural relations between India and Nepal would be shown together. Similarly, India, Sri Lanka and those regions of Southeast Asia where Indian religions, art and traditions have had an influence would be connected.

Such a map would show that cultures connect people beyond political boundaries.

Question 8. On an outline (blank) map—

Answer:

(a) Mark the neighbouring countries of India.

Mark India's neighbouring countries on the map at their correct geographical locations. Examples of countries given in the chapter are:

• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Bangladesh
• Myanmar
• China
• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Sri Lanka
• Maldives
• Oman
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore

Note: Some of these are land neighbours of India, while others are maritime neighbours. Mark only those countries that are shown on the map in the textbook.

(b) Show cultural flows (such as food, festivals and languages) between India and its neighbours using arrows.

Draw arrows on the map to show the directions in which food, festivals, languages, religions and art spread from one region to another.

Examples:

• The spread of Buddhism from India to Sri Lanka.
• The exchange of religious and cultural traditions between India and Nepal.
• Linguistic, food and artistic connections between South India and the Maldives.
• The influence of Indian art, literature and architecture from India to Southeast Asia.

(c) Imagine and redraw 'New Boundaries of Harmony' that connect neighbouring countries through rivers, trade routes or cultural regions.

In this activity, create new imaginary boundaries that show cooperation and friendship between countries instead of separating them.

Examples:

• Show the regions of India and Bangladesh connected through the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems together.
• Connect the regions of India, Central Asia and Southeast Asia that were linked through ancient trade routes.
• Show the regions of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia connected through Buddhism and other cultural traditions.

The purpose of these boundaries is to show that rivers, trade and culture connect countries.

(d) Collect pictures of the national flags of the countries listed in this chapter. Observe them and record your observations.

For this activity, collect pictures of the national flags of the countries listed in the chapter. Then observe their colours, symbols and designs and write about them in your notebook.

For example, you can write the following details for each country:

• Name of the country.
• Colours used in the national flag.
• Signs or symbols shown on the flag.
• The meaning of those colours and symbols, if the information is available in the textbook or a reliable source.

This activity will provide information about the national identities and symbols of different countries.

Think About It, Let's Explore and Don't Miss Out

Question 1. What are the three large water bodies that surround India?

Answer: The three large water bodies that surround India are:

• The Indian Ocean
• The Arabian Sea
• The Bay of Bengal

These water bodies help India establish maritime trade and connections with other countries.

Question 2. Why are maritime connections important between India and its neighbouring countries?

Answer: Maritime connections increase trade, transportation of goods, cultural exchange and security cooperation between countries. Through sea routes, India has maintained connections with Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Oman and the countries of Southeast Asia.

Question 3. What does the dragon in Bhutan's national emblem symbolise?

Answer: The dragon in Bhutan's national emblem represents Bhutan as the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'. It is a symbol of Bhutan's national identity and cultural tradition.

Question 4. What factors strengthen the relations between India and Bhutan?

Answer: Cultural closeness, religious heritage and economic cooperation strengthen the relations between India and Bhutan. The shared heritage of Buddhism between the two countries is also important. India cooperates with Bhutan in hydropower projects.

Question 5. What is Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Index? How is it different from conventional economic indicators?

Answer: Bhutan has developed the concept of Gross National Happiness to measure the country's progress. It does not focus only on economic output but also gives importance to aspects such as sustainable development, good governance and the preservation of culture.

Question 6. What are the three major branches of Buddhism?

Answer: The chapter mentions three major branches of Buddhism:

Theravada: It is called the 'School of the Elders'. Its followers are mainly found in countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar.

Mahayana: It is a major branch of Buddhism that spread to many countries, including China, Japan and Korea.

Vajrayana: It is also called the 'Diamond Vehicle'. It gives importance to mantras, mandalas and special spiritual practices.

Question 7. How did Buddhism strengthen cultural relations between India and its neighbouring countries?

Answer: The spread of Buddhist monks, travellers and religious teachings increased India's contacts with many neighbouring countries. Along with Buddhism, art, architecture, ideas and religious traditions also travelled from one country to another.

For example, Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka, and Buddhist traditions also developed in countries of East Asia, including China.

Question 8. What is the Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan?

Answer: The Kartarpur Corridor is a route established between India and Pakistan that allows Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, located in Pakistan. Travelling through this route requires a prescribed permission document or permit instead of a regular visa.

Question 9. Through which means have cultural relations between India and Pakistan been maintained?

Answer: Despite political tensions, India and Pakistan share many cultural similarities. Similarities can be seen in the languages, food, music and festivals of both countries. Some historical Buddhist and Sikh pilgrimage sites located in Pakistan also remind us of their shared historical heritage.

Question 10. How has India helped in preserving Myanmar's cultural heritage?

Answer: According to the chapter, India helped restore historical monuments in Myanmar that were damaged by an earthquake. This included cooperation related to historical sites, including the Ananda Temple in Bagan. India also gifted a 16-foot-high replica of the Buddha statue at Sarnath to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

Question 11. How was ancient Afghanistan culturally connected with India?

Answer: In ancient times, Afghanistan was an important centre of Buddhist and Hindu culture. Trade and the exchange of ideas took place between India and Afghanistan. The huge Buddha statues of Bamiyan were important evidence of Buddhist cultural relations between India and Afghanistan.

Question 12. How did ancient trade routes connect India with other regions?

Answer: Ancient trade routes such as Uttarapatha, Dakshinapatha, the Silk Route and the Spice Route connected India with Central Asia, Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Along these routes, not only goods but also religions, languages, art, literature and ideas were exchanged.

Question 13. What influence did Indian culture have on the countries of Southeast Asia?

Answer: India's religious traditions, art, literature and architecture influenced many countries of Southeast Asia. Indian traditions reached these regions through trade, pilgrimages and cultural contacts. Even today, examples of this influence can be seen in historical monuments, religious traditions and art.

Question 14. Why was SAARC established?

Answer: The full form of SAARC is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It was established in 1985 to promote mutual interests, socio-cultural relations and economic progress among South Asian countries.

Its members are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Question 15. Why have obstacles continued to arise in the functioning of SAARC?

Answer: Political tensions among some member countries of SAARC have often disrupted the organisation's work. This creates difficulties in advancing regional cooperation and common plans.

Question 16. Why do earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently in Indonesia?

Answer: Indonesia is located in a geographical region where the movements of the Earth's tectonic plates are frequent. For this reason, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur there often. The chapter describes Indonesia as one of the world's more earthquake-prone countries.

Question 17. How does the language Dhivehi of the Maldives reflect historical contacts with India?

Answer: The official language of the Maldives, Dhivehi, contains words connected with Indian languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi. This shows that India and the Maldives maintained exchanges for a long time through maritime trade and cultural contacts.

Question 18. How has India helped the Maldives during times of crisis?

Answer: Three major examples of India's assistance are:

• Assistance after the 2004 tsunami.
• Assistance during the water crisis in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, in 2014.
• Assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These efforts strengthened cooperation and trust between the two countries.

Question 19. What threat does climate change pose to the Maldives?

Answer: The Maldives is a country made up of many small islands. Rising sea levels pose a threat of partial submergence to several of its islands. Therefore, climate change and rising sea levels are particularly serious problems for the Maldives.

Question 20. How has maritime trade between India and the Maldives influenced cultural relations?

Answer: Maritime trade led to the exchange of people and ideas between India and the Maldives over a long period. The influence of South India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Kerala, can be seen in the language, food, art and boat-building techniques of the Maldives.

Competency-Based Questions

Question 1. India and Nepal have an open border. What benefits does this arrangement provide to the people of both countries? Mention any three benefits.

Answer: The open border between India and Nepal provides the following benefits to the people of both countries:

• People can easily travel between the two countries for education and employment.
• Families and relatives can remain connected with one another.
• Trade and religious journeys become easier.

Question 2. Millions of people depend on the rivers flowing between India and Bangladesh. What problems may arise if river water is not managed properly?

Answer: If river water is not managed properly, there may be a shortage of water for irrigation in both countries. Fishing, agriculture and people's livelihoods may be affected. Therefore, both countries should discuss the issue and ensure the proper use and management of water.

Question 3. Environmental problems are increasing in the Sundarbans, which lies between India and Bangladesh. Why should both countries work together for its conservation?

Answer: The Sundarbans region extends across both India and Bangladesh. It is a habitat for tigers and many other animals. It also helps reduce the impact of cyclones. Therefore, both countries should work together to protect forests, wildlife and the natural environment.

Question 4. India and China trade with each other, but there have also been border tensions between them. How can both countries resolve their disputes peacefully?

Answer: Both countries can resolve their disputes through mutual discussions, diplomatic dialogue and efforts to find solutions to border-related problems. It is also necessary to increase mutual trust while continuing trade and cooperation.

Question 5. An Indian Sikh pilgrim wants to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. How is the Kartarpur Corridor useful for the pilgrim?

Answer: The Kartarpur Corridor helps Indian pilgrims reach Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, located in Pakistan. A prescribed permission document is sufficient for travelling through this route instead of a visa. This makes religious travel easier and can strengthen cultural relations between the people of both countries.

Question 6. How does India's geographical location help it connect with the countries of Southeast Asia, West Asia and Africa?

Answer: India's long coastline and central position in the Indian Ocean provide it with access to important maritime routes. This enables India to promote trade, connectivity and regional cooperation among these regions.

Question 7. How does free movement between India and Nepal benefit the economies of both countries?

Answer: Free movement allows people to cross the border easily for employment, education and trade. This increases trade in local markets, makes essential goods more accessible and supports the livelihoods of people living in border areas.

Question 8. How is hydropower cooperation between India and Bhutan beneficial to both countries?

Answer: Hydroelectricity is generated from the rivers of Bhutan. This supports Bhutan's economic development and provides India with renewable energy. Thus, both countries benefit from this cooperation.

Question 9. Give one example of historical cultural relations between India and China. What lesson do we learn from it?

Answer: Buddhism spread from India to China. Chinese monks Faxian and Xuanzang travelled to Indian centres of learning, while Indian Buddhist monks spread Buddhist teachings in China.

This teaches us that education, religion and cultural exchange can strengthen relations between countries for a long time.

Question 10. Despite tensions between India and Pakistan, what is the importance of cultural and religious relations?

Answer: Similarities can be seen in the languages, cuisines, music and festivals of both countries. Ancient religious sites located in Pakistan are also part of their shared heritage. These relations can help increase mutual understanding and respect among people and encourage efforts towards peace.

Question 11. Mention one similarity and one difference between India's relations with Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Answer:

Similarity: India has historical, cultural and religious relations with both countries.

Difference: India shares an open land border with Nepal, whereas Sri Lanka is India's maritime neighbour, and the Palk Strait lies between them.

Question 12. What is the difference between India's relations with its land neighbours and its maritime neighbours?

Answer: In India's relations with its land neighbours, land borders, cross-border movement, trade and shared rivers play important roles. In relations with maritime neighbours, maritime trade, navigation, maritime security and cultural contacts are important. Both types of relations are essential for India's progress and security.

Question 13. Why did Bhutan give importance to the Gross National Happiness Index along with Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

Answer: GDP mainly measures economic output, whereas the Gross National Happiness Index also gives importance to aspects such as people's well-being, cultural preservation, good governance and sustainable development. This helps us understand a country's progress from a broader perspective.

Question 14. Why is the conservation of the Sundarbans between India and Bangladesh not the responsibility of only one country?

Answer: The Sundarbans extends across both India and Bangladesh. Its biodiversity, wildlife and natural protection are important for both countries. Therefore, cooperation between both countries is necessary for its conservation and management and for dealing with the effects of climate change.

Question 15. Is a country's neighbour only a country with which it shares a land border? Answer on the basis of the chapter.

Answer: No. The concept of a neighbour is not limited to land borders. Countries connected through seas or oceans are also maritime neighbours. For example, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are India's maritime neighbours. Thus, geographical proximity, maritime routes and mutual connectivity also define neighbourhood.

Question 16. If India and one of its neighbouring countries disagree over the use of river water, what measures would you suggest to resolve the dispute?

Answer: I would suggest the following measures:

• Representatives of both countries should hold discussions.
• The availability of river water and the needs of both countries should be studied.
• An appropriate agreement should be reached by considering the needs of agriculture, drinking water and the environment.
• The use and management of water should be reviewed regularly.

Question 17. If India and one of its neighbouring countries are affected by a natural disaster, such as a cyclone, how can India provide assistance?

Answer: India can provide relief materials, food, medicines and necessary humanitarian assistance to the affected country. Cooperation can be provided in rescue operations, and help can be given in rehabilitating affected people. This strengthens regional cooperation and friendship.

Question 18. If political tensions increase with a neighbouring country, why should ordinary citizens try to maintain cultural relations?

Answer: Cultural relations help people understand one another's traditions and feelings. Maintaining mutual respect despite political differences can create a favourable environment for peace and dialogue.

Question 19. What role can students play in increasing regional cooperation among India's neighbouring countries?

Answer: Students can study the history, geography and culture of neighbouring countries. They can respect cultural diversity, avoid misconceptions and spread awareness about shared issues such as environmental protection. This will develop a spirit of cooperation and harmony.

Question 20. Name four land neighbours of India with which it shares a border. Give an example of India's cooperation with any one of them.

Answer: Four land neighbours of India are Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

For example, India and Bhutan cooperate in hydropower projects. This supports Bhutan's economic development and helps meet India's energy needs.

Question 21. Name three maritime neighbours of India and explain one benefit of maritime connectivity.

Answer: Three maritime neighbours of India are Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia.

Maritime connectivity makes the import and export of goods easier. This promotes trade, economic development and connectivity between countries.

Question 22. What was the purpose of establishing SAARC? Why have obstacles continued to arise in its functioning?

Answer: SAARC was established in 1985 to promote social, cultural and economic progress among South Asian countries. Its objective is to encourage cooperation in science, education, health and other fields. Political tensions among some member countries have continued to create obstacles in its functioning.

Question 23. How did ancient trade routes influence relations between India and its neighbouring countries?

Answer: Trade routes such as Uttarapatha, Dakshinapatha, the Silk Route and the Spice Route connected India with Central Asia, Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Along these routes, goods as well as religions, ideas, art and culture were exchanged.

Question 24. What three major conclusions do you draw from this chapter about good neighbourly relations?

Answer:

• Good neighbourly relations are built not only by sharing borders but also through cooperation and mutual respect.
• Trade, education, religion and culture strengthen relations between countries.
• Solving shared problems, such as environmental protection and natural disasters, through joint efforts benefits the entire region.

Most Important Facts for the Examination

• Gross National Happiness Index: A comprehensive concept used to measure Bhutan's progress.
• Kartarpur Corridor: A route that allows Indian pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib.
• SAARC: Established in 1985; its objective is to promote cooperation among South Asian countries.
• Three branches of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
• Ancient trade routes: Uttarapatha, Dakshinapatha, the Silk Route and the Spice Route.
• Official language of the Maldives: Dhivehi.
• Major challenge faced by the Maldives: Rising sea levels.
• Examples of India-Maldives assistance: The 2004 tsunami, the 2014 water crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.