Class 7 Social Science Questions Answer Chapter 5 NCERT – Part II

India, a Home to Many

Questions and activities

1. On the outline of a world map, try to trace the routes that the communities mentioned in this chapter may have used to reach India. What types of physical geographies did they have to negotiate?

Answer:

• Jews, Syriac Christians, Parsis, Arab merchants and Baha’is came from West Asia (Israel, Persia, Arabia) mostly by crossing the Arabian Sea and reaching the western coast of India (Kerala and Gujarat).
• Armenians came from the Armenia–Persia region by land and sea routes to places like Agra, Surat, Kolkata and Chennai.
• Siddis were brought from Africa across the Indian Ocean to western India.
• Polish refugees travelled from Europe by long land and sea routes to Gujarat.
• Tibetan refugees crossed the Himalayan Mountains to enter northern India.

Physical geographies they had to cross:

• Mountains (Himalayas, highlands)
• Deserts and plateaus (West Asia, Persia)
• Seas and oceans (Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean)
• Coastal plains and river valleys in India

Thus, they negotiated difficult physical features like mountains, deserts and vast seas to reach India.

2. What are the key values intrinsic to Indian culture that enable it to welcome people of different backgrounds?

Answer: According to Chapter 5, the key values intrinsic to Indian culture that enable it to welcome people of different backgrounds are:

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – “The whole world is one family.”
• Atithi Devo Bhava – “A guest is like God.”
• Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah – “May all beings be happy.”
• Compassion (Karuna) and Non-violence (Ahimsa)
• A tradition of peaceful coexistence and acceptance of diverse faiths and beliefs

These values created a culture of inclusion and acceptance, making India a safe haven for persecuted and migrant communities.

3. Homi Bhabha, Sam Maneckshaw, Ratan Tata, Fali Nariman, Nani Palkivala, and Cornelia Sorabji are a few names of Parsis who excelled in their respective fields. Find out more about people from other communities that made India their home and their contributions.

Answer:

• Hirabai Lobi (Siddi community) – She worked for the upliftment of Siddi women in Gujarat by connecting them with banking services and promoting organic farming. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023.
• Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja – The Maharaja of Nawanagar gave shelter to around 1,000 Polish orphan children during World War II and provided them food, care, and safety.
• 14th Dalai Lama (Tibetan community) – After taking refuge in India in 1959, he promoted human values like compassion, religious harmony, and preservation of Tibetan culture from Dharamshala.
• Members of the Armenian community contributed to trade, administration, and culture during the Mughal period. Some served in important positions in royal courts.

These examples show that different communities not only found shelter in India but also enriched Indian society through social service, leadership, culture, and trade.

4. Take up a class project. Divide the class into groups. Each group takes up a small project to study a little more about the communities that we have been listed here. Share what you have gathered with your classmates through one of these ways — drama, posters, song, painting, etc.

Answer:

Group 1 – Jews

• Study their arrival in Konkan and Kochi.
• Learn about synagogues and their peaceful settlement in India.
• Presentation: Poster or short drama on their journey to India.

Group 2 – Syriac Christians

• Study their migration from West Asia to Kerala.
• Learn about their customs and traditions.
• Presentation: Role-play of a wedding ceremony or chart presentation.

Group 3 – Parsis

• Study their migration from Persia to Gujarat.
• Explain the “milk and sugar” story and its meaning.
• Presentation: Skit or painting of the milk-and-sugar legend.

Group 4 – Arab Merchants and Siddis

• Study Arab trade links and the Siddi community’s African-Indian culture.
• Presentation: Cultural dance, collage, or song.

Group 5 – Armenians and Baha’i Community

• Study their contributions in trade, religion, and architecture.
• Presentation: Model or drawing of important buildings like churches or temples.

Group 6 – Tibetan Refugees and Polish Children

• Study how India gave them refuge.
• Focus on values like compassion and unity.
• Presentation: Speech, poster, or short skit on “The Whole World is One Family.”