UPSC CSE 2021 Main GS Paper 1
Question 8 - Why is India considered as a subcontinent? Elaborate your answer
Answer
India is called a subcontinent due to its unique geographical boundaries, vast size and diverse landscapes, distinctive geological evolution, cultural and ethnic diversity, historical significance, and political and economic influence. These factors collectively contribute to India’s characterization as a subcontinent within the Asian continent. Some of the reasons are:
Geographical boundaries: India is separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas in the north, the Hindu Kush in the west, and the Arakan in the east. These mountain ranges form natural barriers that isolate India from its neighboring regions. India also has a long coastline that borders the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean, giving it access to maritime trade and influence.
Vast size and diverse landscapes: India covers an area of about 4.4 million square kilometers, which is more than half of the area of Europe. It has a wide range of climatic zones, from tropical to alpine, and a variety of natural features, such as plains, plateaus, hills, deserts, forests, rivers, lakes, and islands. India also has rich biodiversity, with more than 90,000 species of animals and 45,000 species of plants.
Distinctive geological evolution: India was once part of a supercontinent called Gondwana, which broke apart about 180 million years ago. India then drifted northward and collided with Eurasia about 55 million years ago, forming the Himalayas and raising the Tibetan Plateau. This collision also caused volcanic activity and seismic activity in India and its surroundings. India’s geological history has shaped its landforms, mineral resources, and natural hazards.
Cultural and ethnic diversity: India is home to more than 1.3 billion people, who belong to various ethnic groups, religions, languages, castes, tribes, and communities. India has more than 2,000 ethnic groups, more than 20 major languages with hundreds of dialects, more than six major religions with numerous sects and denominations, and more than 3,000 castes and subcastes. India also has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its ancient civilizations, foreign invasions, colonial rule, national movements, and modern development.
Historical significance: India has been a cradle of civilization since ancient times, with evidence of human settlements dating back to more than 30,000 years ago. India has witnessed the rise and fall of many empires, kingdoms, dynasties, and republics that have contributed to its political, social, economic, and cultural development. India has also been a hub of trade, commerce, learning, religion, art, literature, science, and technology for centuries. India has influenced and been influenced by other regions of Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond.
Political and economic influence: India is one of the largest and most populous countries in the world. It is also one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. It is a nuclear-weapon state and a space-faring nation. It is a founding member of several regional and international organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth), the United Nations (UN), the Group of Twenty (G20), etc. It has strong diplomatic relations with many countries around the world. It plays an active role in global affairs on issues such as peacekeeping, human rights, climate change , terrorism , etc.