"India" to be Renamed as "Bharat" : PM Modi is afraid of the name India, says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Presidential G20 dinner invite row

In recent times, there has been speculation about a potential change in the official name of India to Bharat. This idea has sparked debates and discussions across the country. Interestingly, Article 1 of the Indian Constitution uses both names interchangeably: "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States." To understand the significance of this potential change, it is essential to delve into the historical and cultural roots of these names and how they came to be associated with the nation.

The Roots of Bharat:

The name "Bharat," in its various forms such as "Bharata" or "Bharatvarsha," finds its origins in Puranic literature and the epic Mahabharata. According to the Puranas, Bharata represents the land that lies between the southern sea and the northern abode of snow. However, it is important to note that "Bharata" is not merely a geographical designation; it carries a deeper meaning. Social scientist Catherine Clémentin-Ojha emphasizes that "Bharata" refers to a supraregional and subcontinental territory where the Brahmanical system of society prevails. It is a concept that signifies a religious and socio-cultural entity rather than a political or geographical one.

"Bharata" also holds historical significance as the name of an ancient king of legend, the ancestor of the Rig Vedic tribe of the Bharatas, and consequently, the forefather of all the peoples of the Indian subcontinent. This deep-rooted historical and cultural connection makes "Bharat" a name that resonates with India's heritage.

The Journey of "India" and "Hindustan":

The name "Hindustan" is believed to have evolved from "Hindu," the Persian cognate of the Sanskrit term "Sindhu," which referred to the Indus River. The usage of "Hindustan" gained prominence during the Achaemenid Persian conquest of the Indus valley in the 6th century BC. Over time, the suffix "stan" was added to create "Hindustan." The Greeks, who were influenced by the Achaemenids, transliterated "Hind" as "Indus." By the time of Alexander the Great's invasion in the 3rd century BC, "India" had come to represent the region beyond the Indus.

During the Mughal era in the 16th century, "Hindustan" expanded to encompass the entire Indo-Gangetic plain. However, as the British colonial influence grew in the late 18th century, the name "India" gradually replaced "Hindustan." The adoption of "India" signaled a shift in perspective and contributed to the perception of the subcontinent as a single, bounded British political territory.

The Constitutional Dilemma:

When the Constituent Assembly of India debated the issue of naming the country during its sessions in 1949, "Hindustan" was discarded, and both "Bharat" and "India" were retained. The discussions revealed differing viewpoints among the assembly members. Some argued against using the name "India" as it reminded them of the colonial past and the foreign rulers who imposed it upon them. They sought to emphasize "Bharat" as the preferred name, rooted in their cultural heritage.

The journey from "Bharat" to "India" and the ongoing debate about the official name reflect the complex tapestry of India's history, culture, and identity. While "Bharat" embodies the nation's rich heritage and cultural unity, "India" symbolizes the colonial past and subsequent political evolution. As India continues to evolve, the choice between these two names represents not only a linguistic preference but also a reflection of the nation's evolving identity in the modern world.