What Was India Called Before 1947: A Deep Dive Into History

Shayna Kub 23 Jun 2025

India is a nation with a rich and complex history, and its name has undergone several transformations over the centuries. Before 1947, India was not officially referred to as "India" in the way we know it today. The name "India" itself has deep historical roots, tracing back to ancient civilizations and colonial influences. Understanding the evolution of India's name offers a fascinating glimpse into its past and cultural identity.

Before gaining independence in 1947, the region now known as India was under British colonial rule and was referred to by various names. The name "India" originates from the Indus River, which flows through present-day Pakistan and India. However, the landmass had different names throughout history, reflecting its diverse rulers and cultures.

This article will explore the historical context of what India was called before 1947, tracing the origins of its names and the significance they held. By the end of this article, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of India's pre-independence identity and the factors that shaped its modern name.

The Origin of the Name "India"
Ancient Names of India
Persian Influence on the Name
Greek References to India
India Under the British Raj
What Was India Called Before Independence?
Cultural Significance of Names
The Name Bharat and Its Origins
Post-Independence Naming
Conclusion

The Origin of the Name "India"

The name "India" has its roots in ancient history, derived from the Indus River, which flows through the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The river was originally known as "Sindhu" in Sanskrit, but when Persian explorers encountered it, they pronounced it as "Hindu," due to the absence of the "S" sound in their language. This name was later adopted by the Greeks, who called the region "Indoi," meaning "people of the Indus."

The Greeks introduced the name "India" to the Western world, and it eventually became the widely accepted term for the region. However, before the colonial period, the land was known by various names depending on the ruling powers and cultural influences.

Ancient Names of India

Indigenous Names

Before the arrival of foreign invaders, the Indian subcontinent was referred to by several indigenous names. Some of the most notable ones include:

Bharatvarsha: Derived from the ancient king Bharata, this name is mentioned in Hindu scriptures like the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
Aryavarta: Meaning "land of the Aryans," this term was used to describe the region inhabited by the Indo-Aryan people.
Jambudvipa: A Sanskrit term used in ancient Indian texts to refer to the Indian subcontinent as part of the world.

Foreign References

Foreign civilizations also had their own names for the region. For example:

Sina: Used by the Chinese to refer to India, particularly in ancient texts.
Meluhha: Mentioned in Mesopotamian records, this name referred to the Indus Valley Civilization.

Persian Influence on the Name

The Persian Empire played a significant role in shaping the perception of India in the ancient world. When Persian explorers encountered the Sindhu River, they referred to it as "Hindu," which later became the basis for the Greek term "India." The Persian influence extended beyond just the name, as they brought their own cultural and administrative practices to the region.

Greek References to India

Alexander the Great's Campaign

When Alexander the Great invaded the Indian subcontinent in the 4th century BCE, he introduced the name "India" to the Western world. Greek historians like Herodotus and Megasthenes wrote extensively about the region, referring to it as "India" in their works. These writings helped solidify the name in European consciousness.

Indian Contributions to Greek Knowledge

The Greeks not only borrowed the name "India" but also gained valuable knowledge from the region, including mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. The interaction between Greek and Indian civilizations during this period was mutually enriching.

India Under the British Raj

During the British colonial period, the Indian subcontinent was officially referred to as "British India." The British divided the region into several provinces and princely states, administering them under the British Crown. This period of colonial rule lasted from 1858 until India's independence in 1947.

The British Raj had a profound impact on India's political, economic, and social landscape. The name "India" became more widely used during this time, as the British standardized the term in official documents and communications.

What Was India Called Before Independence?

Before 1947, the Indian subcontinent was commonly referred to as "Hindustan" by its inhabitants. This name is derived from the Persian word "Hindu" and the suffix "-stan," meaning "land of." Hindustan was used to describe the northern and central regions of the subcontinent, where the majority of the population spoke Hindi and Urdu.

Other names, such as "Bharat" and "Aryavarta," were also used in religious and literary contexts. However, "Hindustan" became the most widely recognized term during the independence movement, as it represented the cultural and linguistic identity of the region.

Cultural Significance of Names

The names given to India throughout history reflect the cultural, political, and social dynamics of the time. Each name carries its own significance and meaning, shaped by the people who used it. For example:

Bharatvarsha: Represents the ancient Hindu view of the subcontinent as a sacred land.
Hindustan: Reflects the cultural and linguistic identity of the region during the medieval and modern periods.
India: Symbolizes the Western perception of the subcontinent, influenced by colonial rule.

Understanding the cultural significance of these names provides insight into the complex history of India and its people.

The Name Bharat and Its Origins

Religious and Mythological Roots

The name "Bharat" is deeply rooted in Indian mythology and religion. According to Hindu tradition, Bharat was the son of King Dushyanta and Queen Shakuntala, and he is considered the progenitor of the Bharata dynasty. The name "Bharatvarsha" is mentioned in ancient texts like the Mahabharata and the Puranas, referring to the land ruled by the Bharata dynasty.

Modern Usage

Today, "Bharat" is an official name for India, recognized in the Constitution of India. It is often used in official contexts, particularly in Hindi-speaking regions. The name "Bharat" represents the cultural and historical continuity of the Indian subcontinent.

Post-Independence Naming

After gaining independence in 1947, India officially adopted the name "India" in English and "Bharat" in Hindi. The Constitution of India recognizes both names as official, reflecting the country's linguistic and cultural diversity.

The post-independence period saw a renewed emphasis on reclaiming India's cultural heritage and identity. The name "Bharat" became a symbol of national pride and unity, representing the shared history and values of the Indian people.

Conclusion

Understanding what India was called before 1947 provides a deeper appreciation of its rich and diverse history. From ancient names like Bharatvarsha and Aryavarta to the Persian-influenced term Hindustan, each name reflects a different aspect of India's cultural and political identity.

The name "India" itself, derived from the Indus River, has become synonymous with the nation's modern identity. However, the name "Bharat" continues to hold significance as a symbol of the country's ancient heritage and cultural continuity.

We invite you to share your thoughts and insights in the comments below. If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it with others who might find it interesting. For more historical insights and cultural explorations, explore our other articles on the site.

Sources:

Thapar, Romila. Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300. University of California Press, 2004.
Basham, A. L. The Wonder That Was India: A Survey of the Culture of the Indian Sub-Continent Before the Coming of the Muslims. Harper Perennial, 2004.
Sen, Sailendra Nath. Ancient Indian History and Civilization. Wiley, 2013.

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