Bharat Our Land NCERT Solutions Class 9 provides clear, accurate, and exam-oriented answers to all questions from the poem written by Subramania Bharati. This poem is an ode that celebrates India’s natural beauty, spiritual wisdom, and rich cultural heritage.
These NCERT solutions are designed to help students understand the poem easily through simple explanations, line-by-line meanings, and well-structured answers. The poet presents India as a “peerless” land, highlighting important elements such as the Himalaya, the Ganga, the Upanishads, and the teachings of Buddha.
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This resource follows the latest CBSE pattern, making it useful for both school exams and quick revision. With the help of these solutions, students can improve their understanding, strengthen their concepts, and confidently answer all types of questions related to the chapter.
Bharat Our Land NCERT Solutions Textual
| Reflect and Respond |
I Recall the lines of the National Anthem and complete the table given below with the names of the states, mountain ranges, and rivers mentioned in it.
Ans:
From the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana:
| States / Provinces | Mountain Ranges | Rivers |
| Punjab | Vindhya | Yamuna |
| Sindh | Himalaya | Ganga |
| Gujarat | ||
| Maratha | ||
| Dravida | ||
| Utkala | ||
| Banga |
II Work in pairs. Discuss what the words ‘जय हे’ (Jaya he) in the last two lines of the National Anthem convey. Share your answer with your classmates and teacher.
Ans:
जय हे’ means “Victory be to you” or “Hail to thee.”
It expresses:
- Respect and honour for the nation 🇮🇳
- Pride and admiration
- A sense of unity and patriotism
It is like praising the greatness of India.
III Read the underlined words in the given lines of the poem. Choose the odd one out that does not correspond with the meaning of the underlined word.
1. She’s peerless, let’s praise her!
valuable, incomparable, unmatched
2. Many a sage has sanctified this land.
blessed, puried, applauded
3. And here all auspicious things are found.
fortunate, fantastic, favourable
4. Of hoary antiquity is Bharat,
ancient times, recent past, time immemorial
Ans:
1. peerless → valuable (Correct meaning: incomparable, unmatched)
2. sanctified → applauded (Correct meaning: blessed, purified)
3. auspicious → fantastic (Correct meaning: fortunate, favourable)
4. hoary antiquity → recent past (Correct meaning: ancient times, time immemorial)
Substance/Summary of the poem, “Bharat Our Land.”
The poem praises India (Bharat) as a land of great natural beauty, rich culture, and deep spirituality. The poet describes the mighty Himalayas and the sacred Ganga as symbols of India’s greatness. He highlights the wisdom of the Upanishads and the presence of great sages and warriors who have shaped the nation. India is shown as a land where:
- Knowledge and spirituality flourished
- Great teachings like Buddha’s Dhamma spread
- Music, culture, and auspicious traditions thrive
The poet emphasizes that India is ancient (hoary antiquity), glorious, and incomparable (peerless). He ends with a tone of pride and praise for the nation.
Importance / Theme of the Poem
- Promotes patriotism and national pride 🇮🇳
- Highlights India’s heritage, spirituality, and wisdom
- Shows unity in culture, religion, and history
- Teaches respect for nature (Himalaya, Ganga)
- Reminds us that India is unique and unmatched
Overall message: India is a महान (great) and sacred land that deserves admiration and respect.
Line-by-Line Paraphrase
1. The mighty Himavant is ours—there’s no equal anywhere on earth.
→The great Himalaya belongs to us, and no other mountain in the world is as grand as it.
2. The generous Ganga is ours—which other river can match her grace?
→The holy river Ganga is ours, and no other river can equal its beauty and purity.
3. The sacred Upanishads are ours—what scriptures else to name with them?
→The Upanishads belong to us, and no other religious texts can compare with their wisdom.
4. This sunny golden land is ours—she’s peerless, let’s praise her!
→Our land is bright, rich, and beautiful; it is unmatched, so we should admire and praise it.
5. Gallant warriors have lived here,
→ Brave soldiers have lived in this country.
6. Many a sage has sanctified this land.
→Many wise and holy people have made this land pure and sacred.
7. The divinest music has been heard here,
→The most beautiful and heavenly music has been created and enjoyed here.
8. And here all auspicious things are found.
→All good, positive, and fortunate things exist in this land.
9. Here Brahma-knowledge has taken root,
→Deep spiritual knowledge about the ultimate truth has developed in this land.
10. And the Buddha preached his dhamma here.
→Lord Buddha taught his religious ideas and philosophy in this country.
11. Of hoary antiquity is Bharat,
→ India is extremely ancient with a very long history.
12. She’s peerless, let’s praise her!
→ India is unmatched, so we should proudly praise and honour her.
Important Words
- Mighty: powerful
- Generous: giving
- Sacred: holy
- Peerless: incomparable
- Gallant: brave
- Sage: wise person
- Sanctified: purified
- Divinest: heavenly
- Auspicious: favourable
- Antiquity: ancient time
- Dhamma: teachings
- Grace: beauty
| Check Your Understanding |
I Fill in the blanks by choosing appropriate words from the box given below to complete the summary of the poem.
Ans:
The poem is a tribute to India, celebrating its natural beauty, spiritual heritage, and 1. historical greatness. The poet praises the 2. Himavant, describing it as mighty and unparalleled. The 3. Ganga is depicted as generous and graceful, while the 4. Upanishads are honoured as sacred and unmatched. The poem highlights the contributions of 5. warriors and 6. sages who have enriched the land with their bravery and wisdom. It also acknowledges the presence of 7. Brahma-knowledge and the teachings of 8. Buddha, highlighting India’s deep-rooted spiritual and philosophical traditions. The poet repeatedly asserts that India is 9. peerless, urging everyone to 10. praise her.
II Complete the following features about the poem.
1. The impact on the readers (mood): Patriotic, proud, and inspiring
2. The poet’s attitude (tone): Admiring and respectful
3. The rhyme scheme: irregular / Free verse (no fixed rhyme pattern)
4. Examples of personification: “She’s peerless, let’s praise her!” – Here, India is described as “she” (like a person/mother)
III What is the impact of the refrain, ‘she’s peerless, let’s praise her!’?
Ans: The repeated line/refrain “she’s peerless, let’s praise her!”:
- This emphasizes that India is unique and unmatched
- This creates a strong feeling of patriotism and pride
- This stays in the reader’s mind (adds rhythm and emphasis)
IV Complete the following sentence appropriately.
Ans: India is metaphorically described as ‘this sunny golden land,’ suggesting that it is bright, prosperous, beautiful, and full of richness.
V The poet uses symbolism. Match the symbols in Column 1 to what they suggest in Column 2.
Ans:
| Column 1 | Column 2 (Correct Match) |
| 1. Himavant | (v) strength and permanence |
| 2. Ganga | (iii) purity and generosity |
| 3. Upanishads | (ii) spiritual and philosophical legacy |
| 4. Gallant warriors and sages | (vi) courage and wisdom |
| 5. Brahma-knowledge and Buddha’s Dhamma | (i) knowledge and enlightenment |
| 6. Sunny golden land | (iv) richness and glory |
VI The poet uses imagery (descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures that appeal to the senses).
Give any two examples from the poem.
Ans: “The mighty Himavant” (visual image of huge mountains)
“This sunny golden land” (bright, rich land image)
“The generous Ganga” (flowing, graceful river image)
VII What is the impact of the use of hyphens in the first stanza? Select the options that are true.
| 1. Creates deliberate pauses to reinforce the sense of admiration and pride – (Correct) |
| 2. Emphasises the contrast between India’s strengths and weaknesses – (Not correct) |
| 3. Lends to the lyrical quality giving it a measured, chant-like rhythm – (Correct) |
| 4. Suggests hesitation or uncertainty in the poet’s claims about India– (Not correct) |
| 5. Presents a key element of India’s greatness before the hyphen and makes a strong assertion about its uniqueness after the hyphen – (Correct) |
VIII The poet uses hyperbole in the poem.
Hyperbole (hi-puh-buh-lee) is a figure of speech that involves extreme exaggeration to highlight a point or create a dramatic effect. It is not meant to be taken literally but is used to make something sound more impressive or intense.
For example:
- My luggage weighs a tonne. Does the luggage actually weigh a tonne?
- She was so happy that her smile was a mile wide. Can a smile be a mile wide?
IX The poem is an ode.
An ode is a lyrical poem that expresses deep admiration, praise, or reverence for a person, place, object, or idea.
It is often written in an elevated and formal style, celebrating the subject with enthusiasm and emotion. An ode’s language is often grand and expressive; and it seeks to highlight the extraordinary qualities of its subject.
Now, identify examples from the poem that correspond to it being an ode.
Ans: The poem is an ode because it expresses deep admiration and praise for India. The following lines prove it:
Examples from the Poem
- “The mighty Himavant is ours—there’s no equal anywhere on earth.”
Praises India’s natural greatness (Himalaya) - “The generous Ganga is ours—which other river can match her grace?”
Shows admiration for the sacred river - “The sacred Upanishads are ours—what scriptures else to name with them?”
Praises India’s spiritual wisdom - “This sunny golden land is ours—she’s peerless, let’s praise her!”
Direct expression of love and admiration for India - “Of hoary antiquity is Bharat—she’s peerless, let’s praise her!”
Celebrates India’s ancient glory and uniqueness
X The poet uses allusion in the poem.
Allusion is a literary device where a writer makes an indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event,
literary work, or cultural element without explicitly mentioning it. The reader is expected to recognise and understand the reference based on prior knowledge. Allusions can come from mythology, religion, literature, history, or popular culture.
For example, He is a real Einstein in the mathematics class. (This alludes to Albert Einstein, meaning the student is very intelligent, especially in mathematics or science.)
Now, read the explanations and identify the matching allusions from the poem for the following.
- An allusion to the ancient Indian scriptures that form the philosophical core and symbolise deep wisdom and enlightenment. – Upanishads
- An allusion to the concept of spiritual knowledge associated with self-realisation and ultimate truth. – Brahma-knowledge
- An allusion to Gautama Buddha’s teachings, which include compassion, non-violence, and enlightenment. This highlights India’s role in shaping major religious and philosophical traditions. – Buddha’s Dhamma
| Critical Reflection |
I Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
The mighty Himavant is oursthere’s
no equal anywhere on earth.
The generous Ganga is ourswhich
other river can match her grace?
The sacred Upanishads are ourswhat
scriptures else to name with them?
1. Complete the sentence.
The word ‘mighty’ refers to the strength and grandeur of the Himavant.
2. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence given below.
The question mark at the end of the fourth and sixth line of the extract is used to emphasise a point.
(i) show doubt and uncertainty
(ii) emphasise a point ✔
(iii) highlight confusion and hesitation
(iv) reveal inquiry and curiosity
3. The poet uses the word ‘generous’ to describe the Ganga. Why?
Ans: The poet calls the Ganga “generous” because it gives endlessly to the people without expecting anything in return. It provides water for drinking, irrigation, and daily needs, sustaining life and agriculture across vast regions. The river nurtures civilizations, supports livelihoods, and is considered sacred, offering spiritual comfort. Its continuous, selfless flow symbolizes kindness, abundance, and care, making it truly generous in both physical and spiritual ways.
4. Why has the movement of the river been described as graceful?
Ans: The movement of the river has been described as graceful because it flows smoothly and gently, creating a sense of calm and beauty. The Ganga moves in a steady, elegant manner, without harshness or disturbance, which makes its flow appear soothing to the eyes. Its winding course through plains and landscapes adds to its charm. The poet uses the word “graceful” to highlight not only the physical beauty of the river but also its peaceful and life-giving nature.
5. Fill in the blank with the correct option from the words given in the brackets.
The poet is implying that the Upanishads are unmatched (unmatched ✔/abundant) in their wisdom and spiritual depth.
II Answer the following questions.
1. How does the poem reflect a strong connection to cultural identity and heritage?
Ans: The poem reflects a strong connection to India’s cultural identity and heritage by highlighting its natural, spiritual, and historical richness. The poet refers to the mighty Himalaya and the sacred Ganga, which are symbols of India’s natural beauty and cultural pride. He also mentions the Upanishads, representing ancient wisdom and philosophical depth. The presence of sages, warriors, and spiritual leaders like Buddha shows a continuous tradition of knowledge, courage, and moral values. These elements together create a deep sense of belonging and identity. The repeated praise of India as “peerless” emphasizes its uniqueness. Thus, the poem celebrates India’s glorious past and living traditions, strengthening the reader’s connection to its heritage and inspiring respect for its cultural roots.
2. What can you infer about the poet’s attitude towards India from the repeated phrase ‘she’s peerless, let’s praise her!’?
Ans: From the repeated phrase “she’s peerless, let’s praise her!”, we can infer that the poet has a deeply admiring and patriotic attitude towards India. He sees the nation as unique, incomparable, and worthy of the highest respect. The use of the word “she” shows affection, as if India is a mother figure deserving love and honour. The repetition of this phrase strengthens the feeling of pride and emotional attachment. It also encourages readers to appreciate and celebrate the greatness of their country. The poet does not show any criticism or doubt; instead, his tone remains consistently positive and reverential. This reflects his strong belief in India’s greatness and his desire to inspire others to feel proud of their nation.
3. What does the line ‘many a sage has sanctified this land’ suggest about India’s spiritual heritage?
Ans: The line “many a sage has sanctified this land” suggests that India has a rich and deep spiritual heritage. It indicates that many wise and holy people have lived in this land and have contributed to its purity and sacredness. These sages devoted their lives to knowledge, meditation, and moral teachings, which helped shape India’s spiritual traditions. Their presence made the land holy and respected across generations. The word “sanctified” shows that their influence has purified and uplifted the nation. This line highlights that India is not only known for its physical beauty but also for its spiritual richness. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom, truth, and inner peace in Indian culture and shows the country’s long-standing spiritual legacy.
4. How does the poet connect warriors and music to India’s greatness?
Ans: The poet connects warriors and music to India’s greatness by showing both strength and cultural richness. The mention of “gallant warriors” highlights the bravery and courage of those who protected the nation and upheld its honour. At the same time, the reference to “divinest music” shows the artistic and cultural achievements of India. By including both warriors and music, the poet presents a balanced image of the country, where physical strength and creative expression coexist. This combination suggests that India is great not only because of its power but also because of its refined culture. It reflects a civilization that values both courage and creativity. Thus, the poet celebrates India as a land of both heroic action and artistic excellence.
5. How does this poem foster a sense of national pride?
Ans: The poem fosters a strong sense of national pride by celebrating India’s unique qualities and achievements. The poet highlights the country’s natural beauty through the Himalaya and Ganga, its spiritual depth through the Upanishads and Buddha’s teachings, and its historical greatness through sages and warriors. The repeated phrase “she’s peerless, let’s praise her” reinforces the idea that India is unmatched and worthy of admiration. This repetition creates an emotional connection and inspires readers to feel proud of their nation. The use of respectful and grand language adds to this feeling. By presenting India as a land of greatness in every aspect, the poem encourages readers to value and honour their country, thereby strengthening their sense of patriotism.
| Vocabulary in Context |
I Complete the table by choosing words from the poem.
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
| -ous | full of, having the qualities of | generous |
| -ity | the state of being very old or ancient | antiquity |
| -est | superlative form | divinest |
| -less | without something | peerless |
II Complete the following table by adding a different suffix to form new words. Also, create a sentence using
the created word. One example has been done for you.
Ans:
| Suffix | Meaning | Sentences |
| -tion | the action or process of | indicate → indication → The dark clouds were an indication that it would rain soon. |
| -ive | quality or nature of | create → creative → She is very creative and loves painting beautiful pictures. |
| -ment | the action or result of | develop → development → The development of the country depends on education. |
| -ed | past-tense version of a verb | bless → blessed → The sage blessed the people with wisdom and peace. |
| Listen and Respond |
You will listen to four people talk about the places they like to travel to. As you listen, write the speaker number for the two pictures given. (Transcript for teacher on page 260)
Ans:
Picture 1: A person holding a camera/selfie stick (looks like a vlogger/photographer in nature)
This matches Speaker 4
- Travel vlogger
- Loves forests (Sundarbans)
- Answer: Speaker No. 4
Picture 2: A person climbing a mountain (adventure activity)
This matches Speaker 2
- Loves adventure
- Mountains are his playground
- Answer: Speaker No. 2
II You will once again listen to the four speakers. As you listen, match the given statements to the speaker. There are two statements that you do not need. (Transcript for teacher on page 260)
Ans:
| Statement | Speaker |
| 1. The green surroundings look beautiful visually. | 4 |
| 2. The group visits make even the difficult areas seem easy. | 2 |
| 3. The quietness of the environment here leads to a peaceful experience. | 1 |
| 4. The risk and thrill in such an area is what is most appealing. | 2 |
| 5. The dry expanse promises to appeal to the spirit of exploration. | 3 |
| 6. The sight of such beauty is very inviting and has to be captured. | 3 |
| Writing Task |
I Write a paragraph about a place that you have visited which has stayed in your memory. Remember to mention the following:
- Why did you go there?
- Who did you travel with?
- How did you prepare for the travel?
- Where did you stay?
- What activities did you do there?
Ans:
A Memorable Trip to Puri I visited Puri in Odisha during my summer vacation, and it is one of the most memorable places I have ever been to. I went there mainly to seek blessings at the famous Jagannath Temple and to enjoy the beauty of the sea. I travelled with my parents and cousins, and their company made the journey even more exciting and enjoyable. Before starting our trip, we carefully planned everything, including booking train tickets, reserving a hotel near the beach, and packing light clothes suitable for the warm weather. We stayed in a comfortable seaside hotel where we could see the vast blue sea and hear the soothing sound of waves. During our stay, we visited the temple, offered prayers, and learned about its rich history. We also spent time on the beach, collecting seashells, enjoying camel rides, and watching the sunrise and sunset. We tasted delicious local dishes and explored nearby markets for souvenirs. The peaceful spiritual atmosphere, combined with the natural beauty of the sea, made this trip truly unforgettable and close to my heart.
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For better exam preparation, check:
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- How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Question Bank & MCQs
- Bharat Our Land Question Bank & MCQs
FAQ – Bharat Our Land NCERT Solutions Class 9
1. What is the central idea of “Bharat Our Land”?
The central idea of the poem is that India is a unique and glorious nation with rich natural beauty, deep spiritual wisdom, and strong cultural heritage. The poet praises India as peerless and encourages people to respect and admire their country.
2. Who is the poet of “Bharat Our Land”?
The poem is written by Subramania Bharati, a famous nationalist poet known for expressing patriotism, cultural pride, and social awareness in his works.
3. Why is India called ‘peerless’ in the poem?
India is called ‘peerless’ because of its unmatched natural features like the Himalaya and Ganga, its deep philosophical knowledge from the Upanishads, and its rich cultural traditions shaped by sages and warriors.
5. How can I score good marks in this chapter?
To score well, focus on:
Summary and theme
Important keywords
Literary devices
Practice of 2, 3, and 5-mark questions
6. What does the Ganga symbolise in the poem?
The Ganga symbolises purity, grace, and life-giving power. It represents India’s nurturing nature and spiritual significance.
7. Why are the Upanishads mentioned in the poem?
The Upanishads are mentioned to highlight India’s deep philosophical and spiritual knowledge, making it a centre of wisdom and enlightenment.
By using these NCERT solutions, important questions, and revision notes, students can easily understand the poem and perform well in exams. Regular practice and clear concept-building will help in achieving high marks in Class 9 English.
