Central Idea

In 2022, the Social Science committee of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) proposed a shift from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’ in Social Science textbooks up to Class 12.
This suggestion has rekindled the age-old discussion about the nation’s name, particularly after the G20 Summit’s reference to the “President of Bharat.”

Bharat’s Historical Roots

Puranic Literature and Mahabharata: The name ‘Bharat,’ ‘Bharata,’ or ‘Bharatvarsha’ finds its origins in Puranic literature and the epic Mahabharata. It refers to the land between the southern sea and the northern abode of snow.
King Bharata: Legend has it that King Bharata, an ancient figure, was the ancestor of the Bharatas, a Rig Vedic tribe, making him the forefather of the entire subcontinent’s populace.

Hindustan’s Origins: ‘Hindustan’ likely evolved from ‘Hindu,’ the Persian equivalent of Sanskrit’s ‘Sindhu,’ influenced by the Achaemenid Persian conquest of the Indus valley in the 6th century BCE. The suffix “stan” emerged around the 1st century CE, creating “Hindustan.”
Greek Influence: The Greeks transliterated ‘Hind’ as ‘Indus,’ and by Alexander the Great’s 3rd-century BC invasion, ‘India’ referred to the region beyond the Indus.
Mughal Era: In the 16th century, ‘Hindustan’ described the entire Indo-Gangetic plain, encompassing the Mughal emperor’s territories across South Asia.
British Colonial Impact: British maps in the late 18th century started using ‘India,’ while ‘Hindustan’ lost its association with the whole of South Asia, reflecting evolving perspectives and colonial influence.

Article 1 of the Constitution: Article 1 of the Indian Constitution begins with the phrase, “India, that is, Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
Debate and Perspectives: During the Constituent Assembly discussions, there were differing opinions on emphasizing ‘Bharat’ as the primary name for the country.
Pro-‘Bharat’ Arguments: Some argued that ‘India’ was merely an English translation of ‘Bharat,’ citing the example of the Irish Constitution, where “Eire” is used in the Irish language, with “Ireland” in English.
Historical and Cultural Significance: Supporters of ‘Bharat’ highlighted the civilizational and cultural connotations it carried, emphasizing the need for a name that befits India’s history and heritage.
Dr. BR Ambedkar’s Perspective: Ultimately, the formulation ‘India, that is, Bharat,’ was adopted. Dr. BR Ambedkar, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly’s Drafting Committee, downplayed the civilizational debates and emphasized the pressing work ahead.

The ongoing debate surrounding ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ reflects the complexities of identity, history, and linguistic heritage in the nation.
While ‘Bharat’ has deep roots in ancient Indian texts, ‘India’ carries historical and colonial significance.
The Constituent Assembly’s choice of ‘India, that is, Bharat,’ signifies a delicate balance between honoring heritage and embracing a forward-looking identity for the nation.