Bharat Desh- Different Names

 

Compiled by : Sudhir Pai, Author - Trainer - Consultant

*19 names by which India (Bharat) was known since last 5000 years:*

### Ancient Period

1. **Jambudvipa** (Ancient times)  

   Found in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts, referring to the Indian subcontinent.

2. **Meluha** (circa 2500-1900 BCE)  

   Name used in Mesopotamian texts to refer to the Indus Valley Civilization.

3. **Sapta Sindhu** (Vedic period, circa 1500-500 BCE)  

   Refers to the land of the seven rivers, mentioned in Vedic texts.

4. **Bharat or Bharatvarsha** (Ancient times)  

   Named after the legendary king Bharata, found in the Mahabharata and other texts.

5. **Aryavarta** (Vedic period, circa 1500-500 BCE)  

   Meaning "abode of the Aryans," mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts.

6. **Nabhivarsha** (Ancient times)  

   Found in Sanskrit literature.

### Classical Period

7. **Hind** (Persian and later Islamic periods, from 6th century BCE onwards)  

   Early Persian name, also used by the Arabs.

8. **India** (Greek and Roman periods, circa 4th century BCE onwards)  

   Derived from the Greek 'Indos' and Latin 'India,' based on the River Indus.

9. **Indika** (Greek period, circa 4th century BCE)  

   Used by the Greek historian Megasthenes.

10. **Tianzhu** (Han Dynasty, China, circa 2nd century BCE)  

    The Chinese name for India during ancient times.

11. **Hodu** (Biblical times, circa 5th century BCE)  

    Mentioned in the Hebrew Bible during King Xerxes' reign.

### Medieval Period

12. **Hindustan** (Medieval period, from 11th century onwards)  

    Used by Persian and Mughal rulers to refer to northern and central India.

13. **Serendib** (Medieval period, from 9th century onwards)  

    Arabic and Persian name originally for Sri Lanka but often used to denote India.

14. **Tenjiku** (Medieval Japan, from 8th century onwards)  

    The Japanese name for India.

### Early Modern Period

15. **Sone Ki Chidiya** (Medieval to Early Modern period)  

    Meaning "Golden Bird," metaphorical name reflecting India's wealth.

### Modern Period

16. **Gondwana** (Geological term, also used historically)  

    Refers to central India and the supercontinent including the Indian subcontinent.

17. **Dravida** (Modern usage, rooted in ancient times)  

    Refers to the southern part of the Indian subcontinent.

18. **Swaraj** (Early 20th century)  

    Meaning "self-rule," used during the Indian independence movement.

### Contemporary Period

19. **Al-Hind** (Islamic period to present)  

    Arabic name for India used by Islamic travelers and scholars.

This timeline reflects the rich and dynamic history of India, showcasing its diverse cultural heritage and the various civilizations that have recognized and named it throughout history.

*Compiled by : Sudhir Pai*

Author - Trainer - Consultant 

9820073993 (Mumbai, India)