India Size and Location class9 geography MCQ & SAQ

India Size and Location class9 geography NCERT SOLUTION

Question:- 1 - The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through

(a) Rajasthan

(b) Orissa

(c) Chhattisgarh

(d) Tripura

Answer:- (b) Orissa

Question: 2 - The easternmost longitude of India is

(a) 97° 25' E

(b) 68° 7' E

(c) 77° 6' E

(d) 82° 32' E

Answer:- (a) 97° 25’ E

Question: 3 Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with

(a) China

(b) Bhutan

(c) Nepal

(d) Myanmar

Answer: (c) Nepal

Question: 3 If you intend to visit Kavaratti during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India you will be going to

(a) Puducherry

(b) Lakshadweep

(c) Andaman and Nicobar

(d) Diu and Daman

Answer: (b) Lakshadweep

 

 

 

Question: 4 - My friend hails from a country which does not share land boundaries with India. Identify the country.

(a) Bhutan

(b) Tajikistan

(c) Bangladesh

(d) Nepal

Answer: (b) Tajikistan

B - Answer the following questions briefly.

Question: 1 - Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian sea.

Answer: Lakshadweep

Question: 2 - Name the countries which are larger than India.

Answer: Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil and Australia are larger than India.

Question: 3 - Which island group of India lies to its south-east?

Answer: Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Question: 4 - Which island countries are our southern neighbors?

Answer: Maldives and Sri Lanka

Question: 5 - The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?

Answer: The longitudinal gap between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat is about 30°. Due to this, there is a time lag of about two hours between these states. Since Arunachal Pradesh is in the east hence the sun rises earlier here; compared to in Gujarat. The Indian Standard Time is taken from the time of Standard Meridian of India and hence the watches show the same time in both the states.

Question: 6 - The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

Answer: India is centrally located between East and West Asia. India is strategically located at the center of the trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the European countries in the west and the countries of East Asia. Thus, India could establish close contact with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast. Moreover, it could establish close contact with Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast. This shows the significance of India’s location in the Indian Ocean.

India Size and Location class9 geography MCQ 

1. Which of the following influences the duration of the day and night, as one moves from

south to north?

(a) Longitudinal extent

(b) Latitudinal extent

(c) Standard Meridian

(d) All the above

► (b) Latitudinal extent

 

2. Indian Standard Time or I.S.T. is how many hours ahead or behind of G.M.T. or

Universal Time?

(a) 5 hrs 30 min behind G.M.T.

(b) 15 hrs ahead of G.M.T.

(c) 5 hrs 30 min ahead of G.M.T.

(d) None of the above

► (c) 5 hrs 30 min ahead of G.M.T.

 

3.The Standard Meridian of India, 82°30′E passes through which of the following places?

(a) Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu

(b) Walong in Arunachal Pradesh

(c) Kachchh in Gujarat

(d) Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh

► (d) Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh

 

4. If the local time at Dwarka (69°01′E) in Gujarat to the west of India is 6 am, what will be the local time at Dibrugarh (94°58′E approximately 95°), in Assam, in the east?

(a) 4.16 am

(b) 6 am

(c) 7.44 am

(d) 7.44 pm

► (c) 7.44 am

 

5. Both the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India’s mainland is about 30°. But on looking at the map of India, which of the following alternatives do you observe about India’s size?

(a) East-west extent appears to be smaller than north-south extent

(b) East-west extent appears to be larger than north-south extent

(c) East-west and north-south extent appears equal

(d) North-south extent appears to be smaller than east-west extent

► (a) East-west extent appears to be smaller than north-south extent

 

6. By which geographical feature is India bounded in the north-west, north and north-east?

(a) Seas

(b) Lava Plateaus

(c) Young Fold Mountains

(d) Sandy Desert

► (c) Young Fold Mountains

 

7. Which of the following figures shows the total area of India’s landmass?

(a) 2.4 million square km

(b) 3.28 million square km

(c) 32.8 million square km

(d) 3.28 million km

► (b) 3.28 million square km

 

8. What is India’s size with respect to other countries of the world?

(a) First

(b) Third

(c) Fourth

(d) Seventh

► (d) Seventh

 

9. Which geographical feature bounds India’s mainland south of 22°N latitude?

(a) Young Fold Mountains

(b) Sandy Desert

(c) Lava Plateaus

(d) Seas and Ocean

► (d) Seas and Ocean

 

10. Which of the following is the western-most longitude of India?

(a) 97°25′E

(b) 68°7′E

(c) 68°7′E

(d) 82°32′E

► (b) 68°7′E

 

11. Which of the following parallels of latitude divides India into two almost equal parts?

(a) Equator

(b) Tropic of Capricorn

(c) Tropic of Cancer

(d) Prime Meridian

► (c) Tropic of Cancer

 

12. India achieved multi-faceted socio-economic progress during which of the following

periods?

(a) Since ancient times

(b) During medieval period

(c) In the 21st century

(d) During the last five decades

► (d) During the last five decades

13. Which of the following places of India is located on the three seas?

(a) Port Blair

(b) Kavaratti

(c) Kanyakumari

(d) Kochi

► (c) Kanyakumari

 

14. Which of the following is the longitudinal extent of India?

(a) 8°4′N and 37°6′N

(b) 68°7′N and 97°25′E

(c) 68°7′E and 97°25′W

(d) 8°4′E and 37°6′E

► (b) 68°7′N and 97°25′E

 

15. Which of the following Union Territories is located along the west coast of India?

(a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

(b) Chandigarh

(c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli

(d) Puducherry

► (c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli

 

16. Which of the following is the oldest route of contact between India and other countries of the world?

(a) Ocean routes

(b) Maritime contact

(c) Land routes

(d) Air routes

► (c) Land routes

 

17. In which of the following places, would you find the least difference in the duration between daytime and nighttime?

(a) Kanyakumari

(b) Leh

(b) Srinagar

(d) Itanagar

► (a) Kanyakumari

 

18. Due to which of the following reasons is the Indian Ocean named after India?

(a) India has a strategic location along the trans-Indian Ocean routes

(b) No other country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean as India

(c) India is centrally located at the head of the Indian Ocean

(d) All the above

► (d) All the above

 

19. The latitudinal extent of India lies between

(a) 7° 5′ N and 26° 5′ N

(b) 8° 4′ N and 37° 6′ N

(c) 12° 5′ N and 27° 5′ N

(d) 12° 5′ N and 37° 6′ N

► (b) 8° 4′ N and 37° 6′ N

 

20. Tropic of Cancer passes through which of these states

(a) Orissa

(b) Tripura

(c) Bihar

(d) Punjab

► (b) Tripura

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21. Which meridian is fixed as a Standard Meridian of India?

(a) 82½° E

(b) 84½° E

(c) 86° E

(d) 81° E

► (a) 82½° E

 

22. What is the position of India in the world in respect of area?

(a) 8th position

(b) 7th position

(c) 6th position

(d) 2nd position

► (b) 7th position

 

23. Which country among India's neighbors is the smallest?

(a) Nepal

(b) Bhutan

(c) Sri Lanka

(d) Bangladesh

► (b) Bhutan

 

24. Which one of the following forms the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland?

(a) Indira Point

(b) Kanyakumari

(c) Palk Strait

(d) Kavaratti

► (b) Kanyakumari

 

25. India’s total area accounts for what percentage of the geographical area of the world?

(a) 2.9%

(b) 3.2%

(c) 2.4%

(d) 4.2%

► (c) 2.4%

 

26. India has land boundary of about

(a) 18,200 km

(b) 7516.6 km

(c) 15,200 km

(d) 2458 km

► (c) 15,200 km

 

27. The neighboring countries that share their boundaries with India are :

(a) Pakistan and Afghanistan

(b) Myanmar and Bangladesh

(c) China and Nepal

(d) All the above

► (d) All the above

 

28. Which one of the following straits separates India from Sri Lanka?

(a) Sunda Strait

(b) Johor Strait

(c) Bering Strait

(d) Palk Strait

► (d) Palk Strait

 

29. A narrow channel of sea separating two land-masses is called :

(a) Gulf

(b) Strait

(c) Isthmus

(d) Bay

► (b) Strait

 

30. What is the length of the Indian coastline?

(a) 8716 km

(b) 7165 km

(c) 9515 km

(d) 7516 km

► (d) 7516 km

 

31. The four states which are situated along the Himalayas are :

(a) Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan

(c) Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand

(d) Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh

► (a) Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh

 

32. Which one of the following water bodies separate Sri Lanka from India?

(a) Palk Strait and Gulf of Khambhat

(b) Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar

(c) Gulf of Mannar and 10° Channel

(d) 10° Channel and Gulf of Khambhat

► (b) Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar

India Size and Location class9 geography SAQ

Q.1-Why 82°30′E has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India?

Ans. A globe has 24 time zones, each of 15 longitudes. Local time in each zone at the middle longitude (divided by 7°30′) is taken as Standard Time. As 82°30'E is divisible by 7°30', a standard by all countries, India selected this odd value.

 

Q.2. Why is the difference between the durations of day and night hardly felt at Kanyakumari but not so in Kashmir?

Ans. (i) Places near the Equator experience almost equal duration of day and night as the Sun shines overhead throughout the year.

(ii)   Going   away   from   Equator   towards   the   Poles,   the   durations   of   day   and   night   go   on   differing.

 

Q.3.  Find out the number of Union Territories along the western and eastern coasts.

Ans. Union Territories on the western coast of India are four in number — Diu and Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Mahe (Pondicherry) and Lakshadweep. Union Territories on the eastern coast of India are two Pondicherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

Q.4.  Area Wise: which is the smallest and which is the largest state?

Ans. Smallest State in India (areawise) — Goa              Largest State in India (areawise) — Rajasthan

 

Q.5.         Find out the States which do not have an international border or lie on the coast. Ans. Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand.

 

Q.6.         Classify the states into four groups each having common frontiers with (i) Pakistan (ii) China (iii) Myanmar and (iv) Bangladesh.

Ans. (i) States having common frontiers with Pakistan are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

(ii)    States having common frontiers with China are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

(iii)  States having common frontiers with Myanmar are Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

(iv)  States having common frontiers with Bangladesh are West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura.

 

Q.7- The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat in the west but the watches show the same time. How does this happen?

Ans. The local time difference arises because the sunrise is earlier in the east than in the west. However, the watches show the same time because Indian Standard Time is reckoned from a single meridian 82o30′ that passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

 

Q.8.         The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?

Ans. The location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean has helped India in establishing close contacts with West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast and with South-east and East Asia from the eastern coast.

 

Q.9.  What is the longitudinal extent of India? State its two implications.

Ans. The mainland of India extends between longitudes 68°7′E and 97°25′E. The east-west extent is 2933 km in length. The longitudinal extension shows that India is located in the Eastern Hemisphere and places can be located with reference to longitudes.

On account of the 30° longitudinal extension (97°25′–68°7′ = 29°18′, approximately 30°) there is a time difference of 2 hours (30°×4 min = 120 mins or 2 hours) in local time between the eastern and western limits of India. However, a standard time (5 hours 30 min ahead of G.M.T.) is adopted according to the local time of the central meridian of the country, 82°30′E.

 

Q.10.     Describe briefly the geographic location of India in Asia. What is the significance of India’s geographic location?

Ans. The Indian landmass has a central location between East and West Asia. India is a southward extension of the Asian Continent. The trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the west and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to India. The Deccan Peninsula protrudes into the Indian Ocean, thus helping India to establish close contact with oil rich countries of West Asia as well as Africa and Europe from the western coast and the Southeast and East Asia from the eastern coast via sea and ocean routes and air routes.

What is the longitudinal extent of India? Mention the degree of longitude for the Standard Meridian. State the importance of Standard Meridian.

Answer:

The longitudinal extent of India is 68°7’E and 97°25’E.

The degree of longitude of Standard Meridian of India is 82° 30′ E.

According to the International accepted convention, the Standard Meridian of a country must be either a multiple of 7.5 or 15 or it has to pass through some important city. Though 82° 30′ E meridian does not pass through the exact center of the country, it is still chosen as the Standard Meridian as it passes through an important city called Mirzapur. It is 

5.5 hours ahead of GMT

What is the latitudinal extent of India? How is the latitudinal spread in India advantageous to her? State two points.

Answer:

The Indian Union is situated between about 8°4′ N and 37°6′ N. This north-south extent is about 3200 km in length.

• The southern part of India gets more heat from the sun than the northern parts.

• The difference between the duration of the day and night is far more in the northern parts than in the southern parts.

Explain the significance of India’s eminent position in the Indian Ocean.

Answer:

• This helps India to establish close contact with west Asia, Africa, Europe from western coast and with south-east and east Asia from the eastern coast.

• The sea routes have contributed to the exchange of ideas and commodities.

• The ideas of Upanishads and Ramayana, Indian numerals and the decimal system could reach to many parts of the world.

• The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken to other countries.

• Influence of Greek sculpture and styles of dome and minarets can be seen in our country.

Describe the implications of India’s longitudinal extent.

Answer:

• India’s geographical location is favorably important for international trade.

• Due to its central location in the eastern hemisphere, India lies on the major trade routes.

• It has helped in establishing close cultural and commercial contacts with these countries.

Name the major island groups lying in the Arabian Sea. Explain any two major features of it. .

Answer:

The major island groups lying in the Arabian Sea are the Lakshadweep group. It consists of many small islands located opposite to Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea.

Features:

• It is composed of small coral islands that cover a small area of 32 square kilometers. Kavaratti Island is its administrative headquarters.

• It has a great diversity of flora and fauna.

• Lakshadweep consists of 11 islands.

• Most of the area is cultivated with coconut.

• A bird sanctuary is located in Pitti Island which is inhabited by humans.

In what way the central location of India in the Indian Ocean has been to its advantage?

Answer:

India is a centrally situated country in relation to west Asia, Africa and Europe on the western side and south-east Asia and Australia on the eastern side:

• India is favorably located on the world’s highway of trade and commerce.

• It has helped in establishing close cultural and commercial contacts with these countries.

What is meant by the Indian Standard Time? What is its importance?

Answer:

Indian Standard Time (1ST)-is that which is accepted all over India. We have accepted 82° 3(7 E longitude as the Standard Meridian of India. It was accepted as it lies almost in the middle.

The Indian Standard Time has a great importance:

• It has prevented a lot of confusion and has brought harmony in time throughout the country.

• The local time at each longitude is different. So in order to follow one timing, India has accepted the 82° 30’E as the Standard Meridian of India.

Why is the difference between the durations of day and night hardly felt at Kanyakumari but not so in Kashmir?

Answer:

Kanyakumari is just 8° away from the Equator. As the Equator receives the direct sun rays, there would not be hardly any difference between day and night. Whereas, Kashmir is 37° away from the Equator. So, the difference between the duration of day and night is about 5 hrs.

Explain why Ahmedabad and Kolkata are able to see the noon sun exactly overhead in a year but not Delhi. VBQ

Answer:

Ahmedabad has latitude 23°N and Kolkata 22.5°N, while Delhi is at latitude 28°N. This means that the first two cities lie within the Tropic of Cancer. The Tropic of Cancer is the circle of latitude on the earth that marks the apparent position of the sun at the time of the northern solstice. It is also the farthest north latitude at which the sun can be directly overhead. So in Delhi, the sun is never directly overhead.

India Size and Location class9 geography LONG QUESTION

Q.1. Which are the countries with which India shares land boundaries? Write a short note about India’s position among its neighbors.

Ans. India shares its land boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest, China (Tibet), Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east. India stands apart from the rest of Asia with the Himalayas acting as a natural barrier to the north and northwest and the Purvanchals in the northeast. Thus, the land boundary of India is protected by mountain ranges, giving India a safer location with respect to its neighbors. India occupies the most eminent position within the Indian subcontinent and has strong geographical and historical links with its neighbors. India shares strong bilateral relationships with its neighbors socially, culturally and economically. Social and cultural exchange with our neighbors has strengthened our position on account of our rich cultural heritage. Economically, we have good trade relations with our neighbors. Politically also, we share good relations with most of our neighbors. The SAARC endeavors to maintain good relations among the neighboring countries in South Asia.

 

Q.2.         Write a note on the location and size of India

Ans. India is a vast country. It is located in South Asia. From south to north India’s mainland extends between 8°4′N and 37°6′N latitudes. It is located in the Northern Hemisphere. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30′N) passes roughly  through  the  middle  of  the  country.  From  west  to  east  India  extends  between  68°7′E  and  97°25′E

 

longitudes. It is located in the Eastern Hemisphere. To the southeast of India’s mainland lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and to the southwest lie the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea. The landmass of India covers an area of 3.28 million square km. From the point of view of size it is the seventh largest country of the world. It accounts for 2.4 per cent of the total geographical area of the world. It has an east-west extent of 2933 km from Arunachal Pradesh to Kachchh in Gujarat and a north-south extent of 3214 km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. India’s land boundary extends for about 15,200 km. It has a long coastline of 7516.6 km including Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. With a population of over 1000 millions, India is the second most populous country of the world after China. The lofty ranges of the Himalayas and other mountains form a natural geographical boundary in the northwest, north and northeast. The southern part of the country is in the form of a peninsula, tapering towards the Indian Ocean in the south. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the southwest and Bay of Bengal in the southeast.

 

Q.3.Write a note on the Indian Standard Time? Why is there a time difference of almost 2 hours from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat?

Ans. On account of the vast longitudinal extent of India there is a time lag of two hours in local time between its western and eastern limits. Hence, for the sake of convenience a standard time is adopted for the entire country. The central meridian of the country, 82°30′E longitude, has been selected as the Standard Meridian of India. It passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. The local time along this meridian is taken as the standard time of India, which is 82°30′ × 4 min = 330 minutes or 5 hr 30 min ahead of G.M.T. Because India is located to the east of Greenwich Meridian, the time is ahead of G.M.T. or Universal Time. India has a longitudinal extent of more than 29°, with the 68°7′E longitude bounding its western limit in Kachchh in Gujarat and 97°25′E bounding its eastern limit in Arunachal Pradesh (97°25′ – 68°7′ = 29°18′).

For each 1° longitude there is a time difference of 4 minutes. For 29° longitudes there will be a time difference of 4 × 29° = 116 minutes or 1 hr 56 minutes, approximately 2 hours. Hence, there is a time difference of almost two hours in the local time of Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat with the sun rising almost two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh compared to Gujarat.

 

Q.4.         How many states form the Union of India? Write a note on the smallest and the largest Indian states.

Ans. For administrative convenience, our vast country has been divided into political units – the states and the Union Territories. The administrative divisions have been made mainly on the basis of language. At present India is a union of 28 states and 7 Union Territories including the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Delhi is the national capital of India. From the point of view of size, Rajasthan is the largest state while Goa is the smallest state. Rajasthan, the largest state, has an area of about 342 thousand sq. km. It lies to the west of India. It shares its boundary with our neighboring country of Pakistan in the west. In its east lie the states of Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh. To its north lie Punjab and Haryana. Gujarat and parts of Madhya Pradesh lie to its south. The Thar Desert or the Indian Desert is located in Rajasthan. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. Goa, the smallest state of India, has an area of only 3,702 sq. km. (appr. 3.7 thousand sq. km.). The Arabian Sea lies to the west of Goa. To its north lies Maharashtra and to its east and south lies Karnataka. Panaji is the capital of Goa.

 

Q.5. What are the two groups of Indian islands? Write a note on each, describing its geographic position with relation to India.

Ans. The two groups of islands which are part of the Indian Union are the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie to the southeast of the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal.

The Lakshadweep Islands lie in the Arabian Sea to the southwest of India’s mainland, close to the Malabar coast of Kerala.  The Andaman and Nicobars are formed of the Great Andamans and the Little Andamans in the north and Nicobar Islands in the south. They are groups of numerous big and small islands. The southernmost point of the Indian Union is located in one of these Islands. These islands are of great strategic importance to India. They lie close to the equator and have an equatorial climate. They lie along the trans-Indian Ocean route and close to south and southeast Asia. Port Blair is the official headquarters of Andaman and Nicobar. The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of small coral islands lying close to the southern section of the west coast of India. In 1973 the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands were renamed as Lashadweep. It covers a small area of 32 sq. km. Kavaratti island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep. Both the group of islands are rich in flora and fauna and natural beauty, enhancing India’s geographical entity.

“India has a long coastline which is advantageous”. Explain. HOTS

Answer:

• India has the longest coastline on the Indian Ocean. This long coastline (7,517 km) has given a tremendous boost to India’s maritime trade. Almost 90% of India’s international trade is carried on through sea.

• India has this long coastline mainly due to the Deccan peninsula extending into the Indian Ocean and dividing it into two water bodies, viz., the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

• India’s central location at the head of the Indian Ocean and its long coastline have much helped in its interaction through the sea. The sea routes passing through the ocean provide easy connectivity to India with the West and the East.

• India has developed many major ports on its western and the eastern coasts. Some of them, such as Mumbai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam etc., have become centers of India’s flourishing shipping industry.

• This long coastline on the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal has helped India to establish close maritime contacts in the following ways:

• With West Asia, Africa and Europe from the western coast.

• With East Asia and South-east Asia from the eastern coast.

How is India’s geographical location favorable for international trade?

Answer:

• Due to its central location at the head of the Indian Ocean, countries of East Africa, West Asia, South and South-East Asia, and East Asia could be reached through sea routes.

• Unlike landlocked countries (surrounded by land on all sides), it has easy access to the outside world. The ocean routes from East and South-East Asia, and Australia to Africa, and Europe pass through the Indian Ocean.

• India is connected with Europe, North America and South America through both the routes-the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal.

• India can also reach Canada and USA through the Strait of Malacca after crossing the Pacific Ocean.

• India is favorably located on the world’s highway of trade and commerce both to the east and the west.

How did India’s contact with the rest of the world contribute to the exchange of ideas and commodities? Explain.

Answer:

• India held an important position in the ancient world. It had trade relations with many countries. One of the famous land routes was connected to the famous silk route of China.

• These routes have contributed to the exchange of ideas and commodities since ancient times.

• The ideas of the Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system thus could reach many parts of the world. The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries. On the other hand, the influence of Greek sculpture, and the architectural styles of domes and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of our country.

• India had trade relations with South-East Asian countries like Cambodia, Java, Sumatra, Bali, Sri Lanka, Burma and Siam.

• From the time of Kanishka, Indian traders started going to China, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.

• During the Medieval period, India came in close contact with many foreign lands such as the Arabs, the Turks, the Mongols, the Chinese and the Europeans.