India is effectively and indisputably isolated from the rest of the world by natural and geographical barriers. The mighty Himalaya acts as an defensive rampart against invasion by land. The high seas guard the frontiers of India on three sides. The Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean guard the east, west and southern boundaries of Indian respectively.

This has lent an element of individuality to India. Besides the geographical barriers, which play a vital role in isolating India, history has also helped in maintaining India’s isolationist existence. The few invaders who have come to India have either come into a temporary contact with India or have settled here permanently joining the ranks of others and helping to evolve a distinctive Indian culture.

The Aryans, the Sakas, the Kushanas, the Mongols etc. who have come to India have settled gradually and lost their separate identity. They got themselves absorbed into the fold of Indianness to such an extent that differences from their original stock developed in more ways than one. Similarly, Indians have very rarely gone out on expeditions outside India. Hence, Indian history and culture have grown on their own without being influenced by the world outside. Politically, India used to be considered a very powerful kingdom from the very beginning. Even the invasion of Alexander, the Great was restricted to its vestibule.

However, it is another thing that the same seas and mountains which otherwise were considered effective and impenetrable barriers acted as excellent mediums of interaction. Nature sets limits and man transgresses them with the help of his tools and his vision. Man progressively creates a specific environment and makes history. A number of passes in the Himalayas provided openings for invasion and racial immigration.

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Thus came the Aryans, the Persians, the Greeks, the Scythians, the Sakas and the Kushanas during the ancient period, and the Mongols during medieval period. Similarly, the seas fostered India’s commercial interaction with Egypt, Babylonia, Greece, Rome and the South East Asia. The Greater India or the establishment of Indian colonies in the south­east Asia was achieved through the seas. The vast coastline, dotted with a number of natural ports made India a great maritime power. Neverthless, the Europeans followed the sea route to conquer India.