Class 7 Social Science Part 2 Chapter 2, India and Her Neighbours, maps India’s land-based and maritime neighbourhood across Asia and the Indian Ocean, exploring shared geography, Buddhist and cultural links, trade corridors and contemporary diplomacy.
What Class 7 Social Science Chapter 2 Covers
Framing the Neighbourhood & Land-based Neighbours examines India’s land borders and historical ties with China (and Tibet), Pakistan, Bangladesh (born in 1971), Nepal (open border and Himalayan ties), Bhutan (‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’), Myanmar (gateway to Southeast Asia) and Afghanistan.
India’s Maritime Neighbours explores Indian Ocean connections with Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Thailand (Dvaravati and Ayutthaya), Malaysia, Singapore (‘Lion City’) and the Indonesian archipelago.
Ancient Western Neighbours: Iran & Oman traces deep civilisational and maritime trade links with Iran (Persia) and Oman (‘Land of Copper’ / Magan) across the Arabian Sea.
Exercises in Chapter 2
- Before we move on… chapter takeaways and Questions and activities for revision and project work.
Read Class 7 Social Science Chapter 2 Online
More Chapters
- Previous: Chapter 1: The Story of Indian Farming
- Next: Chapter 3: Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries
- All Social Science chapters and the other Class 7 books: Class 7 NCERT books 2026-27
- All Class 1 to 12 NCERT Textbooks: NCERT Books PDF (Class 1–12)
FAQ
Which countries share land borders with India?
India shares land borders with seven countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest; China (Tibet), Nepal, and Bhutan in the north; and Myanmar and Bangladesh in the east.
Who are India’s nearest maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean?
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are India’s nearest island neighbours in the Indian Ocean, along with maritime neighbours Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Iran and Oman.