India, a Home to Many – Class 7 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

Chapter overview

For thousands of years, India has welcomed people from many lands who came as traders, refugees or settlers. Communities such as the Parsis, Jews, Syrian Christians, Siddis and Tibetans made India their home while keeping their traditions. This openness enriched Indian culture and shows its spirit of acceptance.

Communities who made India home

• Parsis (Zoroastrians) came from Persia and first settled at Sanjan in Gujarat over a thousand years ago; they contributed greatly to industry and philanthropy.
• Jewish communities settled in Kerala (Kochi) and other places; the Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi is one of the oldest in the Commonwealth.
• Syrian Christians in Kerala trace their faith to early centuries of the Common Era.
• Siddis, of African origin, live in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra; Tibetans came as refugees after 1959 and settled at Dharamshala and elsewhere.

Reasons and results

• People came for trade along sea and land routes, or to escape persecution.
• Local rulers and communities often gave them land and freedom to practise their faith.
• Their foods, festivals, crafts and businesses became part of Indian life.

Living together

• Respect for diversity, freedom of religion and equal rights in the Constitution protect all communities.
• Living together requires tolerance, understanding and shared civic values.

Key terms

Refugee

a person forced to leave their country because of war, persecution or disaster

Migration

movement of people from one place to another to live

Pluralism

the coexistence of many communities, beliefs and cultures in one society

Synagogue

a Jewish place of worship

Important questions with answers

Quick revision

• India welcomed traders, refugees and settlers.
• Parsis from Persia; Jews and Syrian Christians in Kerala.
• Siddis of African origin; Tibetans after 1959.
• Pluralism and constitutional rights protect all.

Exam tips

• Remember each community with its place: Parsis (Sanjan, Gujarat), Jews (Kochi), Syrian Christians (Kerala), Siddis (Gujarat, Karnataka), Tibetans (Dharamshala).
• Explain both 'why they came' and 'what they contributed' in long answers.

Practice MCQs

1. The Parsis first settled in India at

   1. Kochi
   2. Sanjan in Gujarat
   3. Dharamshala
   4. Goa
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Sanjan in Gujarat. They came from Persia.

2. Tibetan refugees came to India mainly after

   1. 1857
   2. 1947
   3. 1959
   4. 1991
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) 1959. Many settled at Dharamshala.

3. A person forced to leave their country due to persecution is a

   1. refugee
   2. tourist
   3. trader
   4. ambassador
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) refugee. Refugees seek safety.

4. The Paradesi Synagogue is located in

   1. Mumbai
   2. Kolkata
   3. Kochi
   4. Delhi
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) Kochi. It belongs to the Jewish community of Kerala.

5. The Siddis of India are of

   1. African origin
   2. Persian origin
   3. Chinese origin
   4. Greek origin
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) African origin. They live in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

6. The faith of the Parsis is

   1. Judaism
   2. Jainism
   3. Buddhism
   4. Zoroastrianism
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) Zoroastrianism. They follow the teachings of Zarathustra.

7. Which best explains why many communities made India their home

   1. India forced them to come
   2. India had no people
   3. trade links and a tradition of accepting newcomers and their faiths
   4. they were all conquerors
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) trade links and a tradition of accepting newcomers and their faiths. Openness and trade attracted settlers.

8. Pluralism means

   1. coexistence of many communities and cultures in one society
   2. one culture for all
   3. rule by one religion
   4. removal of minorities
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) coexistence of many communities and cultures in one society. India is a pluralist society.