The Influence of River Sindhu
Most foreign names for India are linguistic adaptations of the word ‘Sindhu’ (the Indus River).
1. Persian Names (6th Century BCE)
The ancient Persians (from Iran) gained control of the Indus region. In their language:
- Sindhu became Hind or Hidu/Hindu.
- Note: In this context, ‘Hindu’ was a geographical term, not a religious one.
2. Greek Names
The ancient Greeks interacted with the Persians. Because the Greek language lacked the ‘h’ sound used by Persians, they dropped it:
- Hindu Indoi or Indike.
- This eventually evolved into the Latin/English name India.
3. Chinese Names
Chinese travelers and scholars like Xuanzang (7th Century CE) used different terms:
- Yintu or Yindu: Derived from Sindhu.
- Tianzhu: Which can also mean “heavenly master,” reflecting India’s status as the land of the Buddha.
Tip
Hindustān: This term was first used in a Persian inscription about 1,800 years ago and later became common among invaders to describe the subcontinent.