Indian Subcontinent
Topic: India: Location, Size, Extent and Divisions · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 1 "Geographical Diversity of India"; Class 11, Ch 1 "India - Location"; Class 11, Ch 6 "Natural Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management"
Meaning
The Indian subcontinent is a large part of Asia that stands apart from the rest of the continent. Natural walls mark its edges. The Himalayas lie to the north. The Hindukush and Sulaiman ranges lie to the north-west. The Purvachal hills lie to the north-east, and the Indian Ocean lies to the south. These walls were hard to cross except through mountain passes. This isolation helped the region build its own identity. Class 11 NCERT says it includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Class 7 NCERT also adds Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Example
The Khyber and Bolan passes in the north-west were old gateways through the mountain wall. Other passes include Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh and Nathu La in Sikkim.
Don't confuse with
- "Subcontinent" vs "continent": the subcontinent is a part of Asia, not a separate continent. Class 7 NCERT calls India a "mini-continent" only because of its great natural variety.