A subcontinent is a part of a continent that is politically and geographically separate from the rest of the continent.
India as a Subcontinent:
1. Distinct Landmass: India is often called a subcontinent because it is a distinct landmass, not just a country. While it has many features of a continent, it is not as big as one, so is not considered a continent.
2. Geomorphic Diversification: Geomorphically, India is so diverse that not only do we have the oldest mountain chain i.e., Aravalli but also the youngest mountain chain in the world i.e., Himalayas. India has both the oldest landmass i.e., peninsular plateau as well as the youngest landmass in the world which is the Northern Plateau.
3. Indian Cultural Diversity: This common diversity has grown beyond the borders. Example, almost all the countries in the subcontinent have identical ways of life and religion.
4. Linguistic Diversity: India has multiple races, religions, castes etc. speaking different languages, practicing different customs but a certain element of unity is visible in all.
5. Diversity in flora & fauna: India has a wide range of vegetation ranging from evergreen forests to deciduous forests to alpine meadows. Many of the animal species found in India are endemic to the subcontinent.
6. Political identity: From a political perspective, the Indian subcontinent consists of at least 7 countries: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
7. Geographical Diversification: It’s natural frontiers like the Himalaya’s in the North and the Deccan Peninsula in the South give it a unique identity on the globe.
India is also one of the oldest civilizations and countries across the globe, with at least 4000 years of history known through developed and oral documents. we can say that Identity of India as a subcontinent is well accepted even from ancient times.
Comments
Post a Comment