Over centuries, our country’s name journeyed from “Jambudweep” to “Bharat,” then to “Hindustan,” and eventually to “India,” shaped by foreign influences and historical events. How Bharat transitioned to India?
India, as a nation, holds a rich and complex history that extends back millennia. One fascinating aspect of this history is the evolution of its name, which has undergone a series of transformations over the ages.
The name “India” is synonymous with a land steeped in history and culture. Yet, its origins are deeply rooted in the term “Bharat,” which was the country’s name for centuries.
The Beginnings: ‘Bharat’ in Ancient India
Our journey begins in ancient India, where the term ‘Bharat’ was used to describe the land. This name found its origins in the sacred texts of Vedas, where the mighty Sindhu River (now the Indus) was celebrated and glorified.
‘जम्बूद्वीप: समस्तानामेतेषां मध्य संस्थित:,
भारतं प्रथमं वर्षं तत: किंपुरुषं स्मृतम्,
हरिवर्षं तथैवान्यन्मेरोर्दक्षिणतो द्विज।
रम्यकं चोत्तरं वर्षं तस्यैवानुहिरण्यम्,
उत्तरा: कुरवश्चैव यथा वै भारतं तथा।
नव साहस्त्रमेकैकमेतेषां द्विजसत्तम्,
इलावृतं च तन्मध्ये सौवर्णो मेरुरुच्छित:।
भद्राश्चं पूर्वतो मेरो: केतुमालं च पश्चिमे।
एकादश शतायामा: पादपागिरिकेतव: जंबूद्वीपस्य सांजबूर्नाम हेतुर्महामुने।
– (Vishnu Puran)
It all begins with the Sanskrit term “Sindhu,” which referred to the Indus River, one of the major rivers in the Indian subcontinent. This term “Sindhu” was first mentioned in sacred Hindu texts, such as the Rigveda, which date back over 3,000 years.
“Sindhu, you flow strong like a speedy horse: like a loud- neighing horse, conquering floods.” – Rigveda, Book VI, Hymn 45
‘Sindhu’ to ‘Hindu’: An Iranian Influence
The word “Sindhu” held significant importance for the people of the Indian subcontinent, as the river played a vital role in their lives, providing water for agriculture and sustenance. Over time, as the people of the region interacted with neighboring cultures and languages, the name “Sindhu” underwent linguistic transformations.
This transformation can be attributed to the influence of the Iranian Old Avestan language and Old Persian language. The term “Sindhu” went through some changes. Over time, it shifted to “Hindu” because of the Iranian Avestan language, which has a different sound.
It’s like when someone says “tomato,” and someone else hears “tomahto.”
The ‘s’ sound in ‘Sindhu’ gradually changed to an ‘h’ sound in Avestan, giving rise to the term ‘Hindu.’
“In their prayers, they say ‘the waters,’ they say ‘the plants’… and they call themselves ‘Hindu’.” – Avesta Yasna, 10.8
This linguistic shift showcased how languages can change and evolve over the years, bridging cultures and societies.
One crucial turning point occurred when the term “Sindhu” made its way into the ancient Persian language. In the Persian script, there was no distinct “S” sound, so the initial “S” in “Sindhu” was pronounced as an “H.” This linguistic shift led to the river being referred to as the “Hindu River” in Persian.
This shift happened because languages are like rivers too, always moving and changing.
‘Hindu’ to ‘Hindustan’: A Persian Twist
The Persian Empire came next touching and penetrating in Indian boundaries, and they added a little something to our name.
In Persian, “stan” means “land of.” So, “Hindu” turned into “Hindustan,” which means “Land of the Hindus.”
“Hindustan, a land with its own special culture and traditions.”
The name “Hindustan” was particularly prominent during the medieval period and under Mughal rule. However, the journey of the name didn’t stop there. With the expansion of cultural influences and interactions with various foreign cultures, including the Greeks, the name underwent further changes.
Greece Joins the Party: Indu to India
During the Hellenistic period, with the arrival of Alexander the Great and his Greek armies in the 4th century BCE, the transformation continued.
When Greek influences extended into the Indian subcontinent, the Greeks pronounced “Hindu” with a silent “H,” resulting in the name “Indu.” This alteration is not uncommon in linguistics, as seen in “Hella” becoming “Ella.”
This transformation led to the name “Indu” or “Indos” in Greek records.
Over time, the name “Indu” continued to evolve through interactions with other languages and cultures, ultimately culminating in the modern name “India.”
The transition from “Indos” to “India” was a gradual one, influenced by historical and cultural exchanges that took place over centuries.
The British Era and the Emergence of ‘India’
Fast forward to the British colonial period, and “Indu” had evolved into “India.” The British, who had a profound impact on the subcontinent, popularized the name “India” globally using it officially.
It is during this era that the term “Indian” became synonymous with the people of this diverse land.
As the British Empire expanded its influence, India became a focal point of their interests.
Sir William Jones, a prominent British judge and scholar, famously stated in 1786: “I am no Hindu, but I hold the doctrine of the Hindus concerning a future state to be incomparably more rational, more pious, and more likely to deter men from vice than the horrid opinions inculcated by Christians on punishments beyond the grave.”
India’s journey of transformation in name and identity stands as a unique story to its rich and diverse culture, marked by numerous changes influenced by foreigners and invaders. In the history of world, few nations have undergone such a remarkable evolution of nomenclature.
