This chapter is important with respect to UPSC ancient history names for India
- India is a land of diversity and richness, and its name reflects that. Throughout its long and varied history, India has been called by many different names, each with its own origin and meaning.
- India and Bhārat are the two main names for the country that is officially known as the Republic of India.
- Some Indians also use the name “Hindūstān” to refer to the region that covers most of the states of the Indian Subcontinent. This name is not official, but rather a colloquial term among Indians.
- Here are some of the most common names for India and their significance which are important for UPSC ancient History names for India
Meluha
- Meluha, one of the oldest names for India, was used by the Sumerians to refer to the Indus Valley civilization.
- The name is derived from the Dravidian words mel-akam, meaning “highland country.”
- Meluha was not a religious term, but a geographical and cultural one.
- It was used to refer to the land and the people of the Indus Valley civilization, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
- The Sumerians referred to a trading partner in the Indus Valley civilization as Meluha during the mid-second millennium BCE.
- While the precise location and identity of Meluha remain a matter of debate, most scholars believe it aligns with the Harappan culture that thrived along the Indus River and its tributaries.
- Meluha appears in various Sumerian texts, including inscriptions by Sargon of Akkad, Naram-Sin, and Gudea of Lagash.
- The Meluhhans engaged in trade with the Mesopotamians, exchanging diverse goods such as gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, ivory, and timber.
- Their interactions extended beyond material goods, as evidenced by the incorporation of Meluhhan words and motifs into Sumerian literature and art, reflecting cultural and linguistic exchange.
- Some scholars propose that the name Meluha stems from a Dravidian word meaning “highland country,” linking the Indus Valley civilization to Proto-Dravidian speakers.
- Others suggest a connection to a para-Munda word for “wild sesame,” associating the Indus Valley civilization with the ancestors of the Munda speakers.
- Indus valley civilization is important for UPSC ancient History names for India
Bharata
- The Constitution of India, which came into effect in 1950, chose Bhārata as one of the names for India in its 1st article.
- Oral Traditions – The temple purohits still preserve the oldest reference to Bharata in the Sankalpa of the Vedic rituals. The Sankalpa says “Bharata varshe, Bharata khande” (in the country of Bharata and in the landmass of Bharata).
- Bhārata comes from the name of the Bharatas, a Vedic community that is mentioned in the Rigveda. They were one of the original communities of the Āryāvarta and they took part in the Battle of the Ten Kings.
- The same Bhārata people are also mentioned in some other Puranic texts. They are said to be the offspring of Bharata, the son of Dushyanta, in the Mahabharata.
- The Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela (1st century BCE) is the oldest record of using Bhārata-varṣa (lit. ‘Bhārata territory’) as a geographical name. It only refers to a small area of northern India, namely the part of the Ganges west of Magadha.
- While the Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata (200 BCE to 300 CE), employs the term “Bharata” to encompass a broader area of North India, the Deccan and much of South India remain outside its scope.
- The name “Bharata” is also linked to the legendary King Bharata from the Ramayana epic, who is believed to have reigned over a vast territory encompassing the Indian subcontinent.
A Tale of Two Names: The Enduring Debate over India’s Identity
Since its independence, the name of India has been a subject of much debate. The Constitution of India, adopted in 1949, recognizes both “India” and “Bharat” as official names for the country. However, some argue that “Bharat,” with its deep historical roots, better represents the nation’s cultural and historical identity, while “India” is a colonial relic that evokes memories of oppression.
The Constituent Assembly’s Dilemma
The Constituent Assembly, tasked with framing India’s Constitution, faced differing opinions on the country’s name. Some members advocated for “Bharat” alone, while others preferred “India.” Proposals for “Hindustan” and “Bharatvarsha” also emerged. Ultimately, the Assembly opted for a compromise, incorporating both names into Article 1 of the Constitution: “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
Supreme Court Weighs In
The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly dismissed petitions seeking to change the country’s name from “India” to “Bharat.” The Court has affirmed the constitutional recognition of both names and upheld the freedom to use either. While suggesting that such petitions be referred to the Union government for consideration, the Court has emphasized the Constitution’s supremacy.
G20 Invitation Ignites Debate
The recent G20 dinner invitation issued by the President of India referred to the President as “President of Bharat” instead of the customary “President of India.” This sparked a political controversy and reignited the debate over the country’s official name, with some welcoming the use of “Bharat” and others criticizing it as a violation of the Constitution.
Beyond Semantics: A Question of Identity
The debate over India’s name extends beyond mere semantics; it delves into the realm of identity, history, and culture. The framers of the Constitution acknowledged the nation’s linguistic and cultural diversity by choosing to incorporate both “India” and “Bharat.” While “India” has gained global recognition, “Bharat” remains prevalent in Hindi and other Indian languages.
The Constitution: A Guiding Beacon
The debate over India’s name may continue, but the Constitution remains the supreme law of the land. It stands as a testament to the country’s rich heritage and its commitment to embracing its diverse identity.
Conclusion
The choice between “India” and “Bharat” is not merely a matter of linguistic preference; it is a reflection of a nation’s struggle to reconcile its colonial past with its aspirations for a self-defined future. While the debate may continue, the Constitution’s recognition of both names serves as a reminder of India’s multifaceted identity and its enduring spirit of unity amidst diversity.
Aryavarta [ UPSC ancient History names for India]
- This is another name for India that appears in the ancient Vedic and post-Vedic texts, such as Manusmriti and Mahabharata.
- It means “the land of the Aryans”, referring to the Indo-Aryan people who migrated to India from Central Asia and composed the Vedic hymns.
- It usually denotes the region between the Himalayas and the Vindhya mountains, where the Vedic culture flourished.
- This is a name for India that denotes its cultural and linguistic identity as the homeland of the Indo-Aryan people.
- It is derived from the Sanskrit arya, meaning “noble” or “honorable”, and varta, meaning “country” or “region”.
- Aryavarta was also used to refer to a specific geographical area in northern India, where the Vedic civilization flourished.
- It was bounded by the Himalayas in the north, the Vindhya mountains in the south, the river Saraswati in the west, and the river Ganga in the east.
- The Narmada River has long been seen as a dividing line between two distinct cultural and linguistic regions of India: Aryavarta and Dravida.
- Aryavarta, or “Land of the Aryans,” is located in the north of India and is associated with the Indo-Aryan language family.
- Dravida, or “Land of the Dravidians,” is located in the south of India and is associated with the Dravidian language family.
Jambudweep [UPSC ancient History names for India]
- Jambudweep is a legendary landmass in Hindu mythology that represents the terrestrial world.
- Jambudweep is the innermost of the seven circular islands, each separated by one of the seven ring-shaped seas.
- This is correct, as Jambudweep is the first and smallest of the seven dvipas (islands) that make up the world in Hindu cosmology.
- The seven oceans are also circular and surround each island.
- Jambudweep resembles a lotus blossom, with the majestic Mount Meru at its heart, which is the axis of the universe.
- The seven encircling seas that border Jambudweep are named after their distinctive fluids: salt water, yogurt, clarified butter, milk, liquor, fresh water, and honey. This is correct, as the seven oceans are named after the substances that they are composed of, according to Hindu cosmology. The oceans are also said to have different colors, tastes, and qualities.1
- Each of the nine sub-islands of Jambudweep has its own distinct features, weather, and people. Ilavrita Varsha is a place of complete bliss and tranquility, while the other sub-islands have more variety in their attributes.
- Ilavrita Varsha is the most ideal and pure land, where only the righteous and virtuous can live, while the other sub-islands have more mixed and mundane qualities.
Ajnabhavarsha
- One of the oldest names is Aja Nabha Varsa, which means the land of the Creator God and the cosmic center.
- The word “Aja” refers to Lord Brahma, the supreme deity of creation in the Vedic tradition. The word “nahba” or “nabha” denotes the navel or the centre of the universe, where Brahma resides.
- The word “varsa” signifies a vast region or a continent. Thus, Aja Nabha Varsa is also known as Ajanabha, the ancient and sacred name of India.
Bharatvarsha [UPSC ancient History names for India]
- This is a name for India that appears in some medieval Hindu texts, such as the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana.
- It means “the land of Bharat” or “the land ruled by Bharat”. It was also considered synonymous with Aryavarta, meaning “the land of the Aryans”.
- Bharatvarsha was said to extend from the Himalayas in the north to the ocean in the south, and from the eastern to the western seas.
How the name India was formed over the centuries?
Section A : The name of the Indus River, which flows through the Indian subcontinent, was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Sindhu’. The ancient people who lived in this region were called Aryans by some scholars.
Section B : The Persians, who invaded India around 600-300 BCE, pronounced ‘Sindhu’ as ‘Hindu’, and called the land and the people ‘Hindustan’ and ‘Hindus’ respectively.
Section C : The Greeks, who also invaded India around the same time, further modified ‘Hindu’ to ‘Indos’, and used it to refer to the river and the region.
Section D : Later, the Latin term ‘India’ was derived from ‘Indos’, and became the official name of the country under British colonial rule.
Sindhu River
The Aryans called the Indus river Sindhu, which means ‘river’ or ‘ocean’ in Sanskrit. This name was also used by the Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, which are the sacred texts of Hinduism. The Rigveda contains many hymns and verses that praise the Sindhu river as a mighty and generous source of life and wealth. Here is an example of a Rigvedic hymn dedicated to the Sindhu river:
Sindhu in might surpasses all the streams that flow. His roar is lifted up to heaven above the earth: He puts forth endless vigour with a flash of light. Even as cows with milk rush to their calves, so other rivers roar into the Sindhu. As a warrior king leads other warriors, so does Sindhu lead other rivers. Rich in good steeds is Sindhu, rich in gold and robes, Rich in food, in ample wealth, in noble offspring.
- The Sindhu River was the source of the name India, which came from a series of changes made by different invaders and traders. This is important for UPSC ancient History names for India
Sindhu to Hindu
- The first one was Darius I, a Persian king who ruled over a vast empire in the 6th century BC.
- He called the land beyond the Sindhu River as Hindu, which was his way of pronouncing the Sanskrit word Sindhu, meaning water or river.
- Hind was not a religious term, but a geographical one, that referred to the land and the people of India. The word Hindi also came from Hind, the language spoken by the Indians.
Hindu to Indoos
- The Greeks invaded Persia and then India was a historical event that involved the military campaigns of Alexander the Great, the king of Macedonia, in the 4th century BCE.
- Alexander conquered the Persian Empire, which stretched from Anatolia to India and then invaded the northwestern regions of India, where he fought against local rulers such as Porus and Ambhi.
- The Greek used the word Indos, which means Indus, and was used by the Greeks to refer to the land beyond the Indus River. More mispronunciation led to Indos as India.
- India became a common name for the subcontinent in Europe after the discovery of sea routes by Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus.
- India is also a name recognized internationally by various organizations and treaties.
- This is important for UPSC ancient History names for India
Hind
- The next one was the Arabs, who traded with India and also invaded parts of it.
- They used the word Hind as well, but added the prefix Al, meaning the. So, they called India as Al-Hind, which means the land of Hind
- Hind was also used by some Arab and Muslim writers, such as Al-Biruni and Ibn Battuta, who visited India and wrote about its culture and society.
- Hind was also adopted by some Indian rulers, such as Mahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who issued coins with this name.
Hindustan
- The term “Hindu” also underwent a transformation over time. It was originally a broad term that described the whole civilization and culture of India. But later, it became more specific and narrow.
- It started to mean only those who followed a certain set of beliefs and practices based on the ancient Vedic scriptures. The term “Hindu” then became a religious identity, rather than a geographical or cultural one.
- This is a name for India that combines Hind with stan, meaning “land” or “place” in Persian.
- It means “the land of Hind” or “the land of Hindus”. Hindustan was popularized by some Mughal emperors, such as Akbar and Aurangzeb, who used it to refer to their empire that covered most of northern and central India.
- “Hindūstān” is a third name for the Republic of India. It was popular during Mughal’s rule. The term ‘Hindu’ was the Old Persian adaption of “Sindhu” (Indus River). “Hindustan” is still common amongst Urdu scholars.
- Hindustan was also used by some British colonial officials and historians, such as James Mill and John Strachey, who divided India into Hindustan (Hindu-majority regions) and India (Muslim-majority regions).
- Hindustan is also a term of affection and pride for many Indians today.
Tenjiku
- This is a name for India that was used by the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese people in ancient and medieval times.
- It means “the land of heaven”, derived from the Chinese word Tianzhu, which itself comes from the Sanskrit word Devanagari, meaning “the city of gods”.
- Tenjiku was used to refer to India as a source of Buddhism, culture, and trade in Asia.
Hodu (UPSC ANCIENT HISTORY NAMES FOR INDIA)
- The Book of Esther mentions Hodu as the Biblical Hebrew name for India.
- It comes from the Persian word Hindu, which is based on the Sanskrit word Sindhu. Sindhu means the Indus River.
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