The meaning of the term “Hindustan” changed over the centuries:In the 13th century, Minhaj-i-Siraj wrote the Persian used “Hindustan” in the political sense for lands, that was the part of the dominions of the Delhi Sultan. In the 14th century, the poet Amir Khusrau used the “Hindi” word for the people and culture of the Indus river. In the 16th century, Babur used the word to describe the geography.

Hint: Minhaj-us-Siraj who was a thirteenth-century scholar of Persian origin used the term Hindustan for the first time, after which the term had different meanings and connotations over the course of time.
Complete answer- It has been observed that language and its interpretation change with the change of time. The term 'Hindustan' was used for the first time by Minhaj-i Siraj, a thirteenth-century Persian chronicler. He, with this term, meant the areas of Punjab, Haryana and the lands between the Ganga and Yamuna. It was used in a political sense for lands constituting a part of the dominions of the Delhi Sultan. Though the term shifted with the extent of the Sultanate but it never included south India. Later in the sixteenth century, Babur, while using this term, meant the geography, the fauna and the culture of the inhabitants of the subcontinent. A fourteenth-century poet Amir Khusrau also used the term 'Hind' almost in the same sense. The remarkable point is that while the idea of a geographical and cultural entity like 'India' did exist, the term 'Hindustan' did not carry the political and national meanings that we associate with it today.
Note-: As we know, the term Hindustan meaning changes over the years so the historians are expected to check from time to time the meanings of the words and use them accordingly.

Introduction:
The term 'Hindustan' has evolved and changed its meaning over the centuries. It has gone through various historical, cultural, and political transformations, shaping its significance in different contexts.

Ancient and Medieval Period:
- In ancient times, 'Hindustan' referred to the land beyond the river Indus, encompassing the region that is present-day Pakistan and parts of northern India.
- During the medieval period, the term gained prominence as it became associated with the Islamic Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, which ruled over a large part of the Indian subcontinent.
- 'Hindustan' came to represent the land that was predominantly under Muslim rule and had a distinct cultural and political identity.

Colonial Era:
- With the arrival of European colonizers, the meaning of 'Hindustan' underwent further changes. The British used the term 'Hindustan' to refer to the entire Indian subcontinent, including regions that were not under their direct control.
- During this period, 'Hindustan' became synonymous with the idea of India as a geographical and cultural entity, encompassing diverse religious and linguistic communities.

Indian Nationalism and Independence:
- In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the term 'Hindustan' gained significance in the context of Indian nationalism and the struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
- It became a symbol of unity and resistance against foreign domination, representing the collective aspirations of the Indian people.
- 'Hindustan' was often used interchangeably with 'Bharat' or 'India' to evoke a sense of national identity and pride.

Post-Independence:
- After India gained independence in 1947, the term 'Hindustan' continued to be used as a poetic or literary reference to the country.
- However, the official name adopted for the nation was the 'Republic of India,' emphasizing its secular and inclusive character.
- In contemporary usage, 'Hindustan' is sometimes used to describe the Hindi-speaking regions of India, reflecting the linguistic diversity within the country.

Conclusion:
The meaning of the term 'Hindustan' has evolved over the centuries, reflecting historical, cultural, and political changes. From its ancient roots as a geographical reference, it acquired religious and political connotations during the medieval period. In the colonial era, it became associated with the entire Indian subcontinent, and during the independence movement, it symbolized the collective aspirations of the Indian people. Today, 'Hindustan' continues to evoke a sense of cultural heritage and national identity, though its usage has diversified to reflect the linguistic and regional diversity of modern India.