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India as known by the world today was not always popular by this name. The name India was popularised during the period of modern history. There are many names of India that the country acquired and relished through the ages. Additionally, it was dependent on how foreigners identified this land and at times by the ruling party. This country has a massive history of names like India, Bharata, Hindustan, Aryavarta, Jambudvipa, Tenjiku and many more. Let’s learn the details of each of these names of the country.
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What were the Names of India?
Here is a list of all names of India that have been noted down in history. Some of these names are side names or referral names used as titles to the land.
| Names | Origin of the Name |
| India | Modern name derived from the river Indus |
| Bharata | The Vedic community of Bharatas |
| Hindustan | Derived by river land of Indus river |
| Bharatvarsha | After the great ruler Bharata |
| Himavat Pradesh | Home to Himalayas |
| Pavitra Bhumi | The Land of Pure |
| Moksha Bhumi | The Land of Enlightenment |
| Karma Bhumi | Land of good deeds |
| Yog Bhumi | Land of spiritual connection with the almighty |
| Punya Bhumi | Land of blessings |
| Nabhivarsa | Named after a ruler |
| Jambudvipa | During the Vedic era based on a sacred jambul or jamun fruit |
| Dravida | Southern India referred by Indo-Iranians |
| Aryavarta | Northern India referred by Indo-Iranians |
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What was the Origin of the Major Names of India?
Here we will be discussing some of the most popular names of India that have been popular throughout history. Names such as India, Bharata, Hindustan, Jambudvipa, Tenjiku and Aryavarta are discussed hereunder.
Bharata
The name Bharata originated in the Vedic times. It is derived from the name of King Bharat the son of King Dushyant and Shakuntala. He was a Chakravarti Samrat with the lineage of Pandavas. The Vishnu Purana of Vedic India has a geographical depiction of Bharata. While writing our constitution, the name Bharata was also included in the official documents. India has been identified as “India, that is Bharata, shall be a Union of States”.
Jambudvipa
Jambudvipa is an ancient Sanskrit term used in Hindu cosmology to refer to the entire landmass of the Indian subcontinent. It translates to “Rose-Apple Land” or “Land of the Rose-Apple Tree” and is described as one of the nine divisions of the world according to Hindu cosmology. Additionally, Jambudvipa is mentioned in various Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata, where it represents the region that encompasses much of present-day India, along with some neighbouring countries.
Aryavarta
Aryavarta is also a name from the Vedic period. The name was given to the northern part of India to differentiate it from the ‘Dravida’ or South India. This happened after the Indo-Persian people moved to the Indian subcontinent to settle for food and other resources. These names are recorded in the Manu Smriti and the Hindu Puranas. The area of Aryavarta is defined from the Himalayas to Madhya Pradesh in one stretch and from the Bay of Bengal in the east to the Arabian Sea in the west. The name translates to the land of the noble.
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Hindustan
The name Hindustan is the gift of a Great Persian Ruler Darius. During his entourage to India, he named it the land of Hindus, or Hindustan. The term Hindus is also a derivation from the river Indus or Sindhu. It was pronounced as Hindu by the Persians. So, the river became Hindu, people who lived there were called Hindus and their land came to be known as Hindustan. This name for India is used in many freedom struggles, patriotic songs and writings. This name however is not listed in the Indian constitution.
Tenjiku
“Tenjiku” is a term that has been historically used in East Asian countries, particularly in Japan, to refer to India. It translates to “Heavenly Abode” or “Celestial Land.” The term likely originated from ancient Buddhist texts and travelogues, where India was often depicted as a land of spiritual enlightenment and wisdom. Moreover, it reflects the reverence and admiration that many cultures have held for India throughout history, particularly due to its profound influence on the development of Buddhism and other spiritual traditions.
India
At the time of Alexander the Mauryan dynasty was ruling in India. The name Hindustan or Hindus was popularly used in the northern parts of India at that time. The Greeks took the prefix from Hindus or Hindustan and derived the name India. Greeks often take the H silent so they made the word IND, to build various names including Indus, Indos and Indika. At last, we landed at a popular name called India. The name became popular worldwide as the Greek travellers travelled across the world for trade etc. It is the most widely used and internationally documented name of the country now.
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What is the History of India’s Name?
The name India has been taken from the river Indus. The river was called Sindhu in Sanskrit. The Persians started calling it Hindu. Later on, the Greeks started calling it Indos or India. Since that time, the name India has become popular among Europeans. The name India has historical roots that can be traced to 2500 years. The name was officially offered by the British during their colonisation of India. After Independence, India retained its name.
What is India’s Full Name?
The full name of India is Bharat Ganrajya in Hindi. In English, the full name is the Republic of India. The term India is used in an official context. However, Bharat is what we use for India in ancient scriptures. Both the names are recongised in the Indian constitution. The name is showcases India’s historical and modern identity of the country.
As per Article 1 of the Indian Constitution, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
What is the Oldest Name of India?
The oldest well-known name for India is Bharat. The name Bharat is taken from the name of the ancient King Bharata (talked about in the Rigveda). The name Baharat is still popularly used in government documents.
Another popular ancient name of India is Jambudvipa. This name was used in early Buddhist and Indian texts. Both names highlight the cultural and spiritual heritage of India.
What is the Nickname of India?
Several nicknames are used for the country, India. Some of these nicknames are provided below-
- It is also called the Cradle of Civilisation. After all, the country is home to more than 22 official languages and 2000 ethnic groups.
- India is known as the Land of Diversity due to the mix of languages used in the country, a variety of cultures, and traditions.
- It is called a subcontinent due to its distinct geographical features and large size.
- The popular nickname of India is the ‘Land of the Spices’
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What are the Special Names of India?
India has many names.The special name of India is Bharat. It is mentioned in Article 1 of the Constitution. The name Bahrat has been taken from the Vedic tribe Bharatas. Another special name of India is Hindustan. Hindustan means the land of the Indus. This name became popular during the 3rd Century AD.
Other special names of India are Jambudvipa, “continent of the rose‑apple (mentioned in Ashoka’s inscriptions), and Sone Ki Chidiya, “Golden Bird,” referring to the historical wealth of the country.
Who is India’s Biggest Legend?
India’s biggest legend is Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. As per a Poll held in 2022 by Outlook, CNN‑IBN & History TV18, Ambedkar is considered the greatest Indian. After all, he was the architect of the Indian constitution, and fought against caste based discrimination. Moreover, he worked to uplift the lives of Dalits and women. He had led the Dalit Buddhist movement, and converted with half a million followers on 14 October 1956. Amedkar is known for several social, legal and economic reforms that shaped India.
Who is India’s No 1 Warrior?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680), the founder of the Maratha Empire, is considered the number 1 warrior of India. He was crowned as Chhatrapati at Raigad Fort in 1674. He is known for asserting Hindu sovereignty in the Deccan. He is also popular for his unvaried resistance to the Mughal empire, and for his refusal to surrender. His win against the larger Bijapur and Mughal armies cemented his reputation as a strategically brilliant leader.
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Who is the Godfather of India?
There is no Godfather of India. The father of the nation is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He is known for leading the non-violent movement against British rule. On the other hand, there is a book written’ Babasaheb The GodFather: A Journey of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’. BR Ambedkar is the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
FAQs
No human can live for 700 years. Therefore, it is a myth that any human has lived for 700 years in the country. For example, as per a myth, Devraha Baba has lived for several centuries in the country. The longest verified human life span is held by Jeanne Calment (from France).
The 5 names of India that are common are India, Bharat, Hindustan, Arya Varta, Tenjik, and Al-Hind. Out of these names, Bharat and India are the most popular names for the country.
The 7 names of India are- 1. Bharat. 2. Jambudvipa. 3. Aryava 4. Hindustan 5. Tenjiku 6. Bharatavarsha. 7. India. The current name is India.
The early humans in India are called Homo erectus (extinct species). These animals have arrived on the Indian subcontinent from Africa. Thereafter, anatomically modern people populated India.
India is sometimes named for a female child. The name is taken from the country India, which takes its name from the Indus River. The name was also used for India Wilkes. It is a character in the novel Gone with the Wind. The name was started to be used for girls in England during the British rule in India during the 19th century.
In classical Japanese, India is known as Tenjiku (天竺). This means heavenly land, or the land of heaven. The name is taken from a Chinese name for India, Tianzhu (天竺). This also meant heavenly land. However, the term Tenjiku is not used anymore.
In Korean, India is referred to as 인도 (In-do). This is directly taken from he word India.
The Chinese name for India is Tianzhu (天竺). This means “heavenly land” or “heavenly India”. The term is used in a historical context.
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This was all about the Names of India. If you want to read more articles like this, you can get Study notes on the Modern History of India here. Also, you can visit our general knowledge page on Indian History!
