Daily Current Affairs : 6-September-2023
In recent news, opposition politicians in India have caused a stir by sharing images of an official invitation to a G20 dinner hosted by “The President of Bharat” rather than the customary “President of India.” This seemingly minor change in nomenclature has sparked discussions about the historical and cultural significance of the names India bears: Bharat, Hindustan, and India.
History of the Names
Bharat:
- The roots of the name “Bharat” can be traced back to Puranic literature and the epic Mahabharata.
- Puranas describe Bharat as the land between the southern sea and the northern abode of snow.
- “Bharata” signifies the supraregional and subcontinental territory where the Brahmanical system of society prevails.
- It is also the name of the legendary king who was the ancestor of the Bharata tribe, extending to all peoples of the subcontinent.
Hindustan:
- The term “Hindustan” likely originated from “Hindu,” the Persian cognate of the Sanskrit “Sindhu” (Indus).
- It gained currency during the Achaemenid Persian conquest of the Indus valley in the 6th century BC.
- The suffix “stan” was added in the 1st century CE to form “Hindustan,” describing the entire Indo-Gangetic plain.
- In the 16th century, it referred to the Mughal emperor’s territories, encompassing much of South Asia.
India:
- The Greeks transliterated “Hind” as “Indus,” linking it to the region beyond the Indus River.
- By the 3rd century BC, “India” was associated with this vast territory.
- In the 18th century, British maps increasingly used the name “India,” while “Hindustan” lost its broader meaning.
- The appeal of “India” lay in its Graeco-Roman associations and use by scientific and bureaucratic organizations.
Use of ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ in the Constitution
When the framers of the Indian Constitution debated naming the country, they retained both “Bharat” and “India,” discarding “Hindustan.” Some members opposed using “India” due to its colonial connotations, seeking to move away from the past.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s Perspective
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent freedom fighter and thinker, believed that “Hindu” and “Hindustan” best represented the people between the Sindhu (Indus) in the north and the Indian Ocean in the south. He suggested that the Aryans might have adopted the name already used by local tribes in the region, emphasizing its indigenous roots.
Savarkar argued that “Bharat” became relevant when the cultural center shifted from the Sindhu region to the Gangetic delta. The terms “Aryawarta” or “Bramhawarta” were inadequate to express the vast synthesis that aimed to unite the entire subcontinent. The term “Bharat” emerged as a suitable expression of this expansive idea of an Indian nation.
Important Points:
Bharat:
- Rooted in Puranic literature and the Mahabharata.
- Describes the land between the southern sea and northern snowy regions.
- Represents the Brahmanical society and the legendary king Bharata.
- Associated with the Rig Vedic tribe of Bharatas and the subcontinent’s people.
Hindustan:
- Originated from “Hindu,” the Persian cognate of “Sindhu” (Indus).
- Gained prominence during Achaemenid Persian conquest in the 6th century BC.
- “Stan” added in the 1st century CE, denoting the Indo-Gangetic plain.
- Referred to Mughal emperor’s territories in the 16th century.
India:
- “Indus” from the Greek transliteration linked to the region beyond the Indus River.
- Became associated with the vast subcontinent by the 3rd century BC.
- “India” increasingly used in British maps from the 18th century.
- Attracted due to Graeco-Roman associations and use by scientific organizations.
Use in the Constitution:
- Both “Bharat” and “India” retained in the Indian Constitution.
- “Hindustan” rejected due to colonial connotations.
- Some members opposed “India” as a reminder of the colonial past.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s Perspective:
- “Hindu” and “Hindustan” describe people from the Sindhu (Indus) to the Indian Ocean.
- Suggested Aryans might have adopted the name from local tribes.
- “Bharat” became relevant when the cultural center shifted to the Gangetic delta.
- Terms like “Aryawarta” and “Bramhawarta” were less suitable to express the vast synthesis of the Indian nation.
Why In News
Opposition politicians have been posting images of an official invitation to a G20 dinner hosted by “The President of Bharat” instead of the usual “President of India,” highlighting their concerns about the government’s rebranding efforts. This move has sparked a nationwide debate about the preservation of cultural identity and its impact on diplomatic relations.
MCQs about Naming India: Bharat, Hindustan, and India
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What is the historical origin of the name “Hindustan”?
A. It originates from Sanskrit and the Mahabharata.
B. It was coined during British colonial rule.
C. It was derived from the Persian “Hindu” related to the Indus.
D. It was introduced by the Mughal emperor Akbar.
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Which name was dropped when framing the Indian Constitution?
A. Bharat
B. India
C. Hindustan
D. None of the above
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According to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, why did the term “Bharat” become relevant?
A. When the British introduced it during colonial rule.
B. When the Greeks transliterated “Hindu” as “Indus.”
C. When the cultural center shifted from the Indus to the Gangetic delta.
D. When the Mughal empire extended its territories.
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