Frontiers and boundaries with reference to Indian sub-continent
A Frontier, can be defined as a politico-geographical area, lying beyond defined borders of a political unit into which expansion could take place. It is a physical and moral concept which implied looking outwards and moving outwards. It is not an abstract concept but a ‘fact of life’—a manifestation of the tendency for spontaneous growth of ecumene.
A Boundary is a line established by law, treaty, accord or practice that marks the limit of a political unit’s territory. It is synonymous with Border.
The frontier is outer-oriented. Its main attention is directed toward the outlying areas which are both a source of danger and a coveted prize. The hinterland-the motherland-is seldom the directing force behind the pulsations of frontier life. The boundary, on the contrary, is inner-oriented. It is created and maintained by the will of the central government. It has no life of its own, not even a material existence. Boundary stones are not the boundary itself. They are not coeval with it, only its visible symbols. Also, the boundary is not tied inextricably to people-people teeming, spontaneous, and unmediated in their daily activities on, along, or athwart the border. It is the mediated will of the people: abstracted and generalized in the national law, subjected to the tests of international law, it is far removed from the changing desires and aspirations of the inhabitants of the borderlands.
Land frontiers of india
India shares her 15,200 long land frontier with Pakistan, in the west and north-west. Afghanistan in the north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north, and Bangladesh and Myanmar in the east. India’s longest border is with Bangladesh while the shortest border is with Afghanistan.
Some of the important international border point of india are as follows:
Wagah Border, Punjab (India – Pakistan)
This border lies on the Grand Trunk Road between Amritsar and Lahore.
Moreh, Manipur (India – Myanmar)
Also, known as the Indo-Myanmar friendship gate.
Nathu La Pass, Sikkim (India – China)
Nathula Pass is a mountain pass in Eastern Sikkim, on the Indo-Chinese border that serves as the trade link between India and China. Nathula Pass nestles at an elevation of 14,140 feet and ranks amongst the highest passes accessible by tourists via motorable road. The Old Silk Route through Lhasa, Sikkim and Eastern India used to cross through Nathula Pass. The other side of Nathula Pass is Chumbi Valley of Tibet.
Longewala, Rajasthan (India – Pakistan)
Standing as a border with Pakistan and is most known as the location of the Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Dawki-Tamabil, Meghalaya (India – Bangladesh)
Dawki or Dauki is a town in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, India.
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat (India – Pakistan)
Located in Kutch district this is another must visit border this republic, this seasonally marshy region is known for its beauty and connecting India and Pakistan.
Jaigaon, West Bengal (India – Bhutan)
This amazing border is situated at the country’s border with Bhutan and the Bhutan gate marks as the border between India and Bhutan.
Pangong Lake, Ladakh (India-China)
Known for it majestic beauty with the surroundings this lake extends from India to China connecting both these countries.
Sunauli Border, Uttar Pradesh (India – Nepal)
The Indo-Nepal Border is a well-known transit point between India and Nepal.
Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu (India – Sri Lanka)
This border is at the tip of Pamban island separated by mainland by Palk strait and shares the only land border between India and Sri Lanka.
Water frontiers of india
India covers 3,214 km from North land to South land and 2,933 km from eastwards to westwards. India has the land frontier of 15,106.7 km and a coastline of 7,516.6 km. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, and Indonesia are the nations with which India accords marine borders. India is also surrounded in the south land by the Indian Ocean, in the eastwards and southeast by the Bay of Bengal, and in the westward and southwest by the Arabian Sea