Origin of the words India and Bharat

India and Bharat are two names used to refer to the same country. The origin of these names is rooted in history and mythology.

India

The name India comes from the ancient Greek word ‘Indus’ which was the name of a river in the north-western region of the country. The ancient Greeks used this name to refer to the entire region beyond the river, which included the Indian subcontinent. Over time, the name evolved into ‘India’.

Bharat

The name Bharat is derived from Hindu mythology. According to the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, Bharat was the son of King Dushyanta and Queen Shakuntala. He was a legendary emperor who ruled over a vast empire that included the Indian subcontinent. The country was named after him as Bharatvarsha, which means the land of Bharat.

Use of the names India and Bharat

Both names, India and Bharat, are used to refer to the country. India is the official name of the country while Bharat is used in more formal and traditional contexts. The Constitution of India refers to the country as Bharat as well as India.

In conclusion, India and Bharat are two names used to refer to the same country. The name India is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘Indus’ while the name Bharat is derived from Hindu mythology. Both names are used interchangeably, with India being the official name and Bharat being used in more formal and traditional contexts.

The name "India" is originally derived from the name of the river Sindhu (Indus River). Bharat' comes from Sanskrit and is the most ancient term of the three, with references in the Hindu Puranas and the Mahabharata to 'Bharatvarsa' and with a reference to a Bharata tribe in the Rigveda. ... At the same time, its origin from Hindu texts and Sanskrit, also give 'Bharat' a religious significance for Hindus...