my indian friend told me that its supposed to be "hindustan" but they didnt call it that because then the non-hindus would revolt
2007-01-20 09:33:07 · 9 answers · asked by sofia 3 in Travel ➔ India ➔ Other - India
Yes India is called as HINDUSTAN -
The term Hindustan from the (Persian) Hind + -istān, often formerly rendered Hindoostan) Hindusthan (Persian: “Land of the Hindus”), historically, northern India, in contrast to the Deccan, or southern India. This area can be defined more particularly as the basin of the five Punjab rivers and the upper Gangetic Plain. As a mostly fertile and well-populated corridor situated between walls of mountain, desert, and sea, Hindustan has been regarded as the principal seat of Indian power, containing the bulk of Indian wealth and physical energy. The name Hindustan is sometimes defined as “north of the Vindhya mountains.” It is also occasionally used as a synonym for all of India.-
2007-01-20 19:36:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's called Hindustan, i'm Indian and Hindu but look at this website it will show you and if you don't believe in wikipedia (which is fine becuase alot of people do) just time in Hindustan in you're information bar.
2007-01-20 20:49:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before independence from britishers in 1947, India (and Indian subcontinet sometimes) was called "Hindustan" or "Hind", locally and in the middle east. Europe and America was using word "India" for the same.
"Hindustan" word was used by earlier mouslem indian rulers and vistors. Notice the "stan" at the end, which is a middle eastern/ mouslem word part. (You will find many islamic countries/ areas ending with "stan")
Hindustan word (and also India) relates to Indus river which was considered a boundary between middle eastern countries and India/ Indian subcontinent. "Hindu" word is supposed to have come from "Indus", a river. Meaning of the word Hindustan = "place of Indus valley/river".
Later during britisher's rule in 19th and 20 centuray, this meaning was changed to show "land of Hindu(religion)". This idea was propogated more as some political parties, in those days, started asking for a separate land for indian mouslems - because they did not want to be in "Hindu-stan". Thus Pakistan was born.
Recently, some people are arguing in favor of Hindu as "a way of life" and not religion. So, Hindustan="land of Hindu(a life style/philosophy)" for them.
Since Independance in 1947, India is called "India" or "Bharat". Hindustan word is used in daily use, but it is NOT used in official correspondance of india government.
Well, the long name are registered in UNO like "Republic of India" etc. though.
Summary:
1. Yes, colloquilly it means India.
2. It also sometimes refer to indian sub continet, perticlarly referring to few hundred years back.
3. Not an official name anymore - was official name before britisher rule (before 19th century).
4. Hindustan = place of indus river/valley
Hindustan = Hindu (religion/life style) place, in later couple of centuries
2007-01-20 22:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by Zankar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes India is also called hindustan sometimes. its older name was Bharat but Hindustan or India is better
2007-01-20 21:20:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2007-01-22 12:05:33 · answer #5 · answered by Shadow Slayer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes its called hindustan
2007-01-20 17:46:25 · answer #6 · answered by idiot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes thats the original name
2007-01-20 17:52:00 · answer #7 · answered by KILLJILL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,beacuse the part was known as HIND
2007-01-20 23:11:28 · answer #8 · answered by moosa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is called that.
2007-01-20 17:40:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋