Understanding Why India is Called 'India' in English

India's 75th Independence Day Celebration

This year, India is set to celebrate its 75th Independence Day. As is customary, the Prime Minister will hoist the national flag at the Red Fort and address the nation. From childhood, we have heard numerous tales about our freedom and the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives for it. However, there are still many questions that linger in people's minds. One such question is why India is referred to as 'India' in English, while countries like Japan and America retain their names in both languages.

The Origin of the Name 'India'

Historically, India was known as Aryavarta during the time of sages. However, when the British established their rule, they found it challenging to use the name Aryavarta. Consequently, they began to refer to it in ways that suited them; some called it Sindhu, while others referred to it as Hindustan. According to a BBC report, the name 'India' has its roots in both Iranian and Greek influences. The Persian word 'Sindhu' transformed into 'Hindu,' leading to the term Hindustan, while the Greeks referred to it as 'Indo' or 'Indos.' This 'A' eventually made its way into Latin, resulting in the name 'India.' Initially, this was not universally accepted, and questions arose about why we should adopt a name created by others. However, as the British began to use 'India' in their documents and conversations, the local populace gradually adopted this name as well. Thus, the English name for our country became widely recognized as India. It's worth noting that the credit for the names 'Hindustan' and 'India' largely goes to the Iranians and Greeks, as they were among the many who came to India during the British trade expansion.