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India is named after the Indus river, flowing through what is now Pakistan. Pakistan was part of India when the name originated. But why is India also called Bharat?

“Bharat” has been in the news recently.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the G20 summit in New Delhi on September 9 sitting behind a sign saying “Bharat”, drawing immediate criticism from the biggest opposition party (Congress) and adding to speculation that prime minister will propose to officially rename India, reported the Financial Times.

Every Indian knows India is also called Bharat, but why?

Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Bard answered my questions simply and clearly.

Q. Tell me about the names Bharat and India

A. The names Bharat and India are both used to refer to the same country in South Asia. The name Bharat is older and has its roots in Sanskrit. It is derived from the name of the Vedic tribe of Bharatas, who are mentioned in the Rigveda as one of the principal kingdoms of the Aryavarta. The name India is thought to have originated from the river Indus, which was called Sindhu in Sanskrit. The Greeks referred to the region southeast of the Indus River as India, and this name eventually became more widely used.

In 1947, when India gained independence from British rule, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted both the names Bharat and India as official names for the country. The preamble to the constitution states that “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”

The use of the name Bharat has been gaining popularity in recent years, particularly among Hindu nationalists. Some people argue that the name India is a colonial hangover and that Bharat is a more authentic and inclusive name for the country. However, the name India is still more commonly used, both domestically and internationally.

Ultimately, the choice of whether to use the name Bharat or India is a matter of personal preference. Both names are equally valid and have a long history of use.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between the names Bharat and India:

Name	Origin
Bharat	Sanskrit. Derived from the name of the Vedic tribe of Bharatas
India	Greek.  Derived from the river Indus
Official status	Both are official names of India
Usage	Bharat is more commonly used in Hindi and other Indian languages, while India is more commonly used in English
Popularity	The use of Bharat has been gaining popularity in recent years, but India is still more commonly used

Q. How did the name India arise? What is the origin of the word? What is the etymology?

A. The name “India” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sindhu”, which means “river”. The Indus River is the longest river in Pakistan and the second-longest river in India. The Greeks borrowed the word “Sindhu” and called the region to the southeast of the river “India”. This name was eventually adopted by other European languages, including English.

The etymology of the word “India” is as follows:

• Sanskrit: Sindhu
• Greek: Indos
• Latin: Indus
• Old English: India
• Modern English: India

The name “India” has been used to refer to the subcontinent of South Asia for centuries. It is a commonly used name in English and other European languages.

However, the name “Bharat” is also used to refer to India, especially in Hindi and other Indian languages. The name “Bharat” is derived from the name of the Vedic tribe of Bharatas, who are mentioned in the Rigveda as one of the principal kingdoms of the Aryavarta.

Q. Tell me the meaning and origin of the word Bharat? What is the etymology of Bharat?

A. The word “Bharat” has a rich and complex history. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “bhṛta”, which means “to bear” or “to carry”. It is also associated with the root word “bha”, which means “light”.

The word “Bharat” was first used in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest texts of Hinduism. It is used to refer to a tribe or kingdom, and it is also used as a personal name.

In the Mahabharata, one of the two major epics of ancient India, the word “Bharat” is used to refer to the entire Indian subcontinent. It is also used to refer to the kingdom of Hastinapura, which was ruled by the Kuru clan.

The word “Bharat” continued to be used to refer to the Indian subcontinent in later texts, such as the Ramayana and the Puranas.

The etymology of the word “Bharat” is still debated by scholars. However, the most likely explanation is that it is derived from the Sanskrit word “bhṛta”, which means “to bear” or “to carry”. This is because the word “Bharat” is often used in a metaphorical sense to refer to the Indian subcontinent as a land that is “bearing” or “carrying” the weight of its history and culture.

Q. Why did the British call the country India, not Bharat or Hindustan?

A. There are a few reasons why the British called the country India, not Bharat or Hindustan.

• The name “India” was already well-known in Europe. It had been used by the Greeks and Romans, and it was also the name used by the Arabs and Persians. The British were familiar with this name, and it was easier for them to use than the names “Bharat” or “Hindustan”.
• The name “India” was more neutral than the name “Hindustan”. The name “Hindustan” is derived from the word “Hindu”, which is a term used to refer to the majority religion in India. The British did not want to give the impression that they were only interested in the Hindu part of India, so they chose to use the more neutral name “India”.
• The name “India” was associated with the British Empire. The British East India Company had been trading in India for centuries, and they had gradually come to control much of the country. The name “India” was a reminder of the British presence in India, and it helped to legitimise their rule.

It is important to note that the name “India” was not universally accepted by the Indians. Many Indians preferred to use the name “Bharat” or “Hindustan”. However, the name “India” eventually became the most commonly used name for the country, both domestically and internationally.

Q. Who were the Bharata people? What was their connection with India? When did they live and where did they live?

A. The Bharata people were an early Vedic tribe that existed in the latter half of the second millennium B.C.E. They were one of the most powerful tribes in the region, and their name is thought to be the origin of the name “India”.

The earliest mentioned location of the Bharatas was on the first Sarasvatī River in southern Afghanistan. Led by the tribal king Divodāsa, the Bharatas moved through the Hindu Kush mountains and defeated Śambara. Divodāsa’s descendant, Sudās, won the Battle of the Ten Kings against a Pūru-led coalition, after which the initial compilation of hymns of the R̥gveda was carried out.

The Bharatas eventually settled in the Punjab region of northwestern India, and their kingdom became known as the Bharatavarsha. This kingdom was later conquered by the Kurus, but the name Bharatavarsha continued to be used to refer to the entire Indian subcontinent.

The Bharata people played an important role in the development of Indian culture. They were the first to introduce the Vedic religion to the region, and their language, Sanskrit, became the lingua franca of the Indian subcontinent. The Bharatas also made significant contributions to Indian art, literature, and philosophy.

The Bharata people are no longer a distinct ethnic group, but their legacy can still be seen in many aspects of Indian culture.

Here are some additional details about the Bharata people:

• They were a warlike people, and they were often involved in conflict with other tribes.
• They were a pastoral people, and their economy was based on agriculture and animal husbandry.
• They were a religious people, and they worshipped a variety of gods and goddesses.
• They were a literate people, and they developed a sophisticated language and literature.
• They were a creative people, and they made significant contributions to Indian art, music, and dance.

Q. Who were the Kurus?

A. The Kurus were a Vedic Indo-Aryan tribal union in northern Iron Age India, encompassing parts of the modern-day states of Haryana, Delhi, and some parts of western Uttar Pradesh, which appeared in the Middle Vedic period. The Kuru Kingdom was the first recorded state-level society in the Indian subcontinent.

The Kurus were one of the most powerful tribes in the region, and their capital was at Hastinapura. They were known for their military prowess, and they played a major role in the Battle of the Ten Kings.

The Kurus are best known for their role in the Mahabharata, one of the two major epics of ancient India. The Mahabharata tells the story of a dynastic succession struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura. The war laid the foundation for the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most important texts of Hinduism.

The Kuru dynasty eventually declined, and their kingdom was conquered by the Nandas in the 4th century B.C.E. However, the Kurus left a lasting legacy on Indian culture. Their language, Sanskrit, became the lingua franca of the Indian subcontinent. The Kurus also made significant contributions to Indian art, literature, and philosophy.

Here are some of the most important Kurus:

• Kuru, the eponymous ancestor of the Kuru clan.
• Shantanu, the king of Hastinapura and the father of Bhishma, Drona, and Pandu.
• Bhishma, the great warrior who fought on the side of the Kauravas in the Mahabharata.
• Drona, the guru of the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
• Pandu, the king of Hastinapura and the father of the Pandavas.
• Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava and the rightful heir to the throne of Hastinapura.
• Arjuna, the third Pandava and one of the greatest warriors in the Mahabharata.
• Krishna, the charioteer of Arjuna and the god of wisdom.

The Kurus were a powerful and influential tribe that played a major role in the development of Indian civilisation.

Q. Where was Hastinapur?

A. Hastinapur was an ancient city in the Doab region of the Indian subcontinent, located on the right bank of the Ganges River. It was the capital of the Kuru Kingdom, and is mentioned in the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.

The present-day town of Hastinapur is located in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, India, about 37 kilometres (23 mi) from Meerut and nearly 96 km (60 mi) north-east of Delhi. The ruins of the ancient city are spread over an area of about 10 square kilometres (4 sq mi).

The city was founded by the Kuru king Kuru, and it is said to have been destroyed in the Kurukshetra War, which is described in the Mahabharata. However, there is evidence that the city continued to exist after the war, and it was eventually abandoned in the 6th century CE.

The ruins of Hastinapur have been excavated by archaeologists, and they have found evidence of a large and prosperous city. The city had a well-planned layout, with streets, houses, and public buildings. The archaeologists have also found artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, and weapons.

The ruins of Hastinapur are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are a reminder of the rich and complex history of the Indian subcontinent.

Q. Who succeeded the Kurus?

A. The Kurus were succeeded by the Panchalas, who were another powerful Vedic tribe. The Panchalas were located to the east of the Kurus, and their capital was at Indraprastha. They were known for their military prowess, and they played a major role in the Kurukshetra War.

After the Kurukshetra War, the Panchalas declined in power, and they were eventually conquered by the Nandas in the 4th century B.C.E. The Nandas were succeeded by the Mauryas, who established the first major empire in India.

The Mauryan Empire was eventually divided into several smaller kingdoms, and the Kurus and Panchalas were no longer major powers. However, they continued to exist as smaller kingdoms for many centuries.

The Kurus and Panchalas were important players in the early history of India, and they left a lasting legacy on Indian culture. They were the first to introduce the Vedic religion to the region, and their language, Sanskrit, became the lingua franca of the Indian subcontinent. The Kurus and Panchalas also made significant contributions to Indian art, literature, and philosophy.

Here are some of the most important successors of the Kurus:

• The Panchalas
• The Nandas
• The Mauryas
• The Guptas
• The Rajputs

The successors of the Kurus continued to play an important role in the development of Indian civilisation for many centuries. Their legacy can still be seen today in many aspects of Indian culture.

Q. Tell me the dates when the Panchalas and their successors flourished.

A. Here are the dates for the Panchalas, Nandas, Mauryas, Guptas, and Rajputs:

• Panchalas: The Panchalas were a Vedic tribe that existed from the 2nd millennium B.C.E. to the 6th century C.E. Their capital was at Indraprastha, which is now located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.
• Nandas: The Nandas were a powerful dynasty that ruled northern India from the 4th to the 3rd centuries B.C.E. They were founded by Mahapadma Nanda, who is said to have had 100 sons. The Nandas were eventually overthrown by the Mauryas.
• Mauryas: The Mauryas were a powerful dynasty that ruled northern India from the 3rd to the 2nd centuries B.C.E. They were founded by Chandragupta Maurya, who is considered to be the founder of the first major empire in India. The Mauryas were succeeded by the Guptas.
• Guptas: The Guptas were a powerful dynasty that ruled northern India from the 4th to the 6th centuries C.E. They are considered to be one of the golden ages of Indian history, and they made significant contributions to art, literature, and science.
• Rajputs: The Rajputs were a group of warrior clans that emerged in northern India in the 6th century C.E. They played an important role in the history of India, and they continue to be an important part of Indian culture today.

The dates for these dynasties are approximate, and there is some debate among historians about the exact dates. However, the dates given above are generally accepted by most scholars.

Q. What did the Muslims call India? What did the Mughals call India?

A. The Muslims called India by different names, depending on the time period and the region. Some of the most common names included:

• Hindustan: This is the most common name used by the Muslims, and it is still used today. It is derived from the Persian word “Hindustan”, which means “land of the Hindus”.
• Hind: This is another common name used by the Muslims, and it is also derived from the Persian word “Hindu”.
• Jambudvipa: This is a Sanskrit name for India, and it means “island of the rosewood tree”.
• Bharatavarsha: This is another Sanskrit name for India, and it means “land of the Bharatas”.
• Aryavarta: This is a Sanskrit name for India, and it means “land of the Aryans”.

The Mughals, who were a Muslim dynasty that ruled India from the 16th to the 18th centuries, also called India by different names. Some of the most common names included:

• Hindustan: This was the most common name used by the Mughals, and it is still used today.
• India: This name was also used by the Mughals, and it is the name that is most commonly used in the West.
• Alamgir: This is a Persian name that means “world conqueror”, and it was used by the Mughal emperor Akbar.
• Dar-ul-Islam: This is an Arabic name that means “abode of Islam”, and it was used by the Mughals to refer to India as a Muslim land.

The names that the Muslims and the Mughals used for India reflected their own cultural and religious perspectives. The Muslims saw India as a land of opportunity, while the Mughals saw it as a land of conquest. However, both groups of people contributed to the development of Indian culture, and their names for India are still used today.

Q. When did the Muslims conquer India?

A. The Muslim conquest of India began in the 7th century CE with the invasion of Sindh by Arab forces under Muhammad bin Qasim. Over the next few centuries, Muslim rule gradually expanded across the Indian subcontinent, reaching its peak in the 17th century under the Mughal Empire.

The first Arab invasion of Sindh took place in 712 CE. Muhammad bin Qasim, a young Arab general, led the invasion and quickly conquered the region. The Arab forces were aided by the local Hindu Jats, who were unhappy with the rule of the local Hindu king, Raja Dahir.

After the conquest of Sindh, the Arabs continued to expand their control into other parts of India. In 738 CE, they captured the city of Multan in Punjab. In 751 CE, they defeated the Chinese at the Battle of Talas, which gave them control of Central Asia and opened up the way for further conquests in India.

However, the Arab advance into India was halted in the 8th century by the rise of the Pratihara Empire. The Pratiharas were a Hindu empire that ruled much of northern India from the 7th to the 11th centuries. They were able to successfully repel the Arab invaders and maintain Hindu rule in the region.

The Muslim conquest of India resumed in the 12th century with the invasion of the Ghaznavids. The Ghaznavids were a Muslim empire based in Central Asia. They conquered much of northern India, including the city of Delhi.

In the 13th century, the Delhi Sultanate was founded by the Mamluks, a group of Turkish slave soldiers. The Delhi Sultanate ruled much of northern India for over 300 years. During this time, Islam became the dominant religion in the region.

The Mughal Empire was founded in the 16th century by Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan. The Mughals ruled much of India for over 300 years and were the most powerful Muslim dynasty in India.

The Muslim conquest of India had a profound impact on the region. It led to the spread of Islam, the introduction of new technologies and ideas, and the development of a new syncretic culture. The Muslim conquest also had a significant impact on the political and social landscape of India.

Q. When did the British conquer India? What was the effect of British rule in India?

A. The British conquest of India can be said to have begun in 1757 with the Battle of Plassey. In this battle, a small British force led by Robert Clive defeated a much larger Indian army. This victory gave the British control of Bengal, one of the richest provinces in India.

Over the next few decades, the British continued to expand their control over India. They defeated the Mughal Empire in 1803 and by the mid-19th century, they controlled most of the Indian subcontinent.

The British Raj, or British rule in India, lasted from 1858 to 1947. During this time, the British introduced a number of changes to India, including:

• A modern legal system
• A system of education
• A railway network
• A postal system
• A telegraph system

These changes had a significant impact on India. They helped to modernise the country and improve the lives of many Indians. However, British rule also had some negative consequences, such as:

• The exploitation of India’s resources
• The suppression of Indian culture
• The creation of a class of wealthy Indians who collaborated with the British

The British Raj came to an end in 1947 when India gained independence. The partition of India led to the creation of two new countries, India and Pakistan.

The legacy of British rule in India is complex and contested. Some argue that the British brought positive changes to India, such as modern technology and education. Others argue that the British exploited India’s resources and suppressed Indian culture. Ultimately, the impact of British rule in India is a matter of debate.