Consider the following statements regarding the names 'India' and 'Bharat': 1. The word India comes from the Indus, called Sindhu in Sanskrit. 2. The Iranians called the land to the west of the river as India. 3. The name Bharata was used for a group of people who lived in the north-west. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (c). Explanation The nomenclature of the Indian subcontinent has historical roots in both indigenous texts and foreign interactions. The names 'India' and 'Bharat' evolved through geographical references by Persians and Greeks, as well as tribal identities mentioned in early Vedic literature. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The word 'India' is etymologically derived from the river Indus. In Sanskrit, this river is known as Sindhu. Foreign travellers and invaders first encountered this river, leading to the derivation of the name. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Iranians and the Greeks, who arrived through the northwest approximately 2500 years ago, were familiar with the Indus. They referred to the river as the Hindos or the Indos. However, they used the term 'India' to denote the land to the east of the river, not the west. - Statement 3 is Correct: The name Bharata was originally used for a distinct group of people (a tribe or clan) who lived in the north-west region of the subcontinent. This group is explicitly mentioned in the Rig Veda, the earliest composition in Sanskrit (dated to about 3500 years ago). Later, the name was applied to the country as a whole. Key Takeaway: The name 'India' is a geographical descriptor used by foreigners for the land east of the Indus, while 'Bharat' originates from a specific Rig Vedic tribe located in the north-west.

NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the names 'India' and 'Bharat':

The word India comes from the Indus, called Sindhu in Sanskrit.
The Iranians called the land to the west of the river as India.
The name Bharata was used for a group of people who lived in the north-west.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (c).

Explanation

The nomenclature of the Indian subcontinent has historical roots in both indigenous texts and foreign interactions. The names 'India' and 'Bharat' evolved through geographical references by Persians and Greeks, as well as tribal identities mentioned in early Vedic literature.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The word 'India' is etymologically derived from the river Indus. In Sanskrit, this river is known as Sindhu. Foreign travellers and invaders first encountered this river, leading to the derivation of the name.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Iranians and the Greeks, who arrived through the northwest approximately 2500 years ago, were familiar with the Indus. They referred to the river as the Hindos or the Indos. However, they used the term 'India' to denote the land to the east of the river, not the west.
Statement 3 is Correct: The name Bharata was originally used for a distinct group of people (a tribe or clan) who lived in the north-west region of the subcontinent. This group is explicitly mentioned in the Rig Veda, the earliest composition in Sanskrit (dated to about 3500 years ago). Later, the name was applied to the country as a whole.

Key Takeaway: The name 'India' is a geographical descriptor used by foreigners for the land east of the Indus, while 'Bharat' originates from a specific Rig Vedic tribe located in the north-west.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: What, where, how and when?

Consider the following statements regarding the development of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent: 1. The Garo hills to the north-east were one of the areas where agriculture developed. 2. Rice was first grown in the Sulaiman hills. 3. The earliest cities flourished in the Vindhyan region before the Indus valley. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Arrange the following events in chronological order (from earliest to latest): 1. Development of cities on the banks of the Ganga. 2. Beginning of agriculture in Sulaiman and Kirthar hills. 3. Flourishing of earliest cities on the Indus. 4. Composition of the Rigveda. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I | List II A. Sulaiman Hills | 1. First cities (4700 years ago) B. Indus River | 2. Cities about 2500 years ago C. Ganga Valley | 3. Rearing of animals and early crops D. Vindhyas | 4. Agriculture developed

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the shift of urbanization: 1. Urbanization first occurred in the Indus valley. 2. Cities in the Ganga valley developed before those in the Indus valley. 3. The gap between these two phases is less than 500 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

With reference to the earliest human settlements in the Narmada valley, which of the following statements best describes the livelihood of the people?

easy

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Correct Option

The correct option is (c).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The word 'India' is etymologically derived from the river Indus. In Sanskrit, this river is known as Sindhu. Foreign travellers and invaders first encountered this river, leading to the derivation of the name.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Iranians and the Greeks, who arrived through the northwest approximately 2500 years ago, were familiar with the Indus. They referred to the river as the Hindos or the Indos. However, they used the term 'India' to denote the land to the east of the river, not the west.
Statement 3 is Correct: The name Bharata was originally used for a distinct group of people (a tribe or clan) who lived in the north-west region of the subcontinent. This group is explicitly mentioned in the Rig Veda, the earliest composition in Sanskrit (dated to about 3500 years ago). Later, the name was applied to the country as a whole.