Did the British name India?

 Goibibo       Tanishq       Croma

Did the British name India?

India, Bharat, and Hindustan represent India and its people. One may call it by any one name it means the same. All Indians hold all the three names in great esteem. Some people believe, the British named India. It’s not true. One should know the history of how the names were derived. The Greeks and Iranians called India, Hindos or Indos or Indu meaning the land to the east of river Indus. From these names came the name India.

Poet Iqbal wrote: Sare jahan se acha Hindustan hamara, hum bul bule hai hiske..... He must have never imagined a day would come when people would start debating about the name of Hindustan, India, or Bharat?

Can name change be a game changer? Most agree its trivializing the issue. Recently there was an uproar, an unwanted debate on name-change from India to Bharat. With G-20 meeting being held in Delhi, the invites and banners read Bharat. This was the subject of debate during an international meeting created to gain some brownie points. It was uncalled for. India, Bharat and Hindustan is India. Some of the foreign leaders and delegates must be wondering what the Indians are trying to impress upon!

BuyKaro        Foxtale       Bummmer

As we all know, India is known by three names – India, Bharat and Hindustan. Abroad especially in some European countries, America and even in some Asian countries, you will be surprised to know many common citizens, young and old people are not even aware of these names. They know India only by Hind or Indu! Bharat came from Bharat Varsh, India came from river Indus (Indu, Sindhu), and Moghuls and foreign Muslim rulers called it Hind or Hindustan.

Bharat is derived from Bharat Varsh, considered to be the ancient name for this land mass, and it had no defined boundaries. The Indian sub-continent was considered Bharat Varsh, some even believe that some countries of south-east Asia were part of it, but there’s no concrete evidence. But there was regular contact and trade with countries of far- east and south-east Asia with people sailing to these far-flung places right up to Philippines. 

Moghuls and foreign rulers from the middle east and central Asia knew India as Hind or Hindustan. If you travel abroad, you will be astonished to know, even in some developed and remote countries, like in Europe, local people are not aware of India, Bharat or Hindustan and where it’s located on the globe! If you tell them, you are from India, they give you a blank look. But when you say – Hind or Indu, they nod and smile! Many of the travel vloggers will agree with me.

Many Indians, including politicians and political analysts and commentators are of the view that during the British colonial rule (approx. 1757-1947), the British referred to the Indian sub-continent as India. As you all know, India was derived from river Indus. The fact is, yes India was derived from river Sindhu (Indus), used in Greek since the 4-5th century BCE. Since British were possibly unaware of the term Bharat so called it India, as India was already familiar in Europe and easier for the British to use. The British have nothing to do with the name India. The only thing they did was officially called it India and worked on defined boundaries. It is part of history since 4-5th century BC. The Greeks used it, the Persians used it. To some it was Indi and to some it was India.

Ixigo       Kama Ayurveda        Myntra

The Greeks labelled the region surrounding river Indus as Indi or India. The nomenclature came from the Sanskrit – Sindhu. Later, the Romans too embraced the Greek term, Indi or India. In fact, the word Hindu derived from Sindu. People living around Sindhu or Indu were called Hindus. By the logic of calling India as Bharat, then Hindus should be called Sindhus! Some even go further saying, kurta pyjama and pant shirt are not Indian wear, these are adapted from foreigner wear; they should revert to dhoti kurta. There is no end to such debate.

If one goes deep into the name game, India had 5 names – Bharat, Aryavarta, Hindustan, Tenjiku and Jamudweep. Some even claim more than 5 names. Before the British take-over of India, it was mainly Mughal and Marathas who ruled major parts of India. Their influence is evident. In China, India is known as Yin-tu. It goes back to the Tang period. The earliest recorded evidence of the name India can be traced back to the ancient text, the Vedas which dates back to around 1500 BCE or earlier. In the Vedas, Sindhu was used to describe the river Indus and the surrounding region. From Indus, came Indi, Indos, Indu and finally India.

Bharat, Hindustan and India co-existed in the subcontinent. The salutation/battle cry – Bharat mata ki Jai and Jai Hind (Victory to Hind). It must be noted here, the word Hind is used. It’s said, ancient texts have references to the name India. Megasthenes, was a Greek historian, diplomat and explorer. He described India in his book Indica during 4-5th Century BCE, as an ambassador to the Mauryan empire, gave detailed accounts of the kingdom under this name. Politicians must get their facts right before making loose statements.

Even the word Hindu (a person hailing from Hind) is derived from Sindhu. Should we change Hindu to Sindhu? Actually, foreigners pronounced Sindhu as Hindu or Indu. Should India be changed to Bharat? It is not as simple as it seems. There will be a lot of political, administrative and economic implications. No sane person would do that. India is known world-wide and is a brand. What will happen to Chak de India, Made-in-India, State of India, Reserve Bank of India, Non-Resident Indians, BCCI, in UNO and many more. Imagine the chaos and huge cost to just change the name of India because some politician feels so. May better sense prevail. Let us concentrate on other priorities to make India better and strong in the comity of nations.

mamaearth       SBI Card       adidas

Also read:

Flash Crash and an Indian Connection!

Words say and mean a lot more!

Eye-opener to our neighbors!

MyPost

 

How to be a millionaire?

I came across an interesting article on how to be a millionaire; it emphasized that it's no rocket science and many people can do it. But how many people can actually do it?

Making money, retaining it, and doubling it is an art that helps multiply money. But investing money is not enough, you have to be specific and clarity on what you would like to do with the cash in hand. Rich people know exactly how and when to invest in the right assets. Everyone who is financially successful invests in tangible items such as property, shares and gold.

Educating yourself in money-making, as well as money managing is key. Secondly, all good money managers reserve 10 per cent for long term investment, 10 per cent for long term investment for spending, 10 per cent for play money, 10 per cent for finance education, 5 per cent for charity, while they pay off their bills using the remaining 55 per cent. Though it sounds simple, its not that easy as it seems. My dream to be a millionaire ended there.

To me this simple formula is more complicated than the rocket science. I would prefer to be a man who earns and spends, saves some money and invests some. This I believe will give me a decent life and a sound sleep too!

Flipkart       Clovia       Axis Bank

....................................................................................................

Picture Post

Golden Temple, Vellore in TN

....................................................................................................

Advertising solutions for your Brands!

Post your *Banner ads *Sponsored Post on Aneela Nike Post, 

WhatsApp: 91 9969154602 Email: akn929@yahoo.com

....................................................................................................

*Your comments are welcome. We value them, to make the blog better.

*Guest writers are welcome. Tell us about the subject. Get in touch.

*Please share this blog with your friends.

....................................................................................................

For interesting videos

www.youtube.com/@anilnaik-mypost

Subscribe, Like & Comment.

Don't forget to Subscribe!

...................................................................................................

Aneela Nike Post

Anil Naik

WhatsApp: 91 9969154602
Email: akn929@yahoo.com

...............................................................................................

If you feel that Aneela Nike Post is making a difference to your life, do take a minute to consider a comment or contribution. We would also value your suggestions as how to make ourselves more relevant to you. Please write to akn929@yahoo.com to give your valuable feedback.

................................................................................................

Post Sponsor