As the seventh-largest country in the world, India is home to a diverse mix of cultures, languages, and traditions. The name ‘India’ has become synonymous with this diversity. However, recent discussions have brought up the possibility of renaming India to ‘Bharat’. This has stirred interesting debates across the country and beyond, when The Indian Government called a special session of Parliament scheduled to begin on September 18.
Origin of the speculation
On August 31, the BJP-led government announced the special parliament session to be held on September 18, 2023, which triggered the speculations on topics to be discussed or to be approved in the parliament session, like the Uniform Civil Code, One Nation One Election, G20 Presidency, etc.
The renaming of India to Bharat arose when Rashtrapati Bhavan sent G20 attendees an official dinner invitation to be held on September 9, under the name “President of Bharat” instead of “President of India”. Resulting in a controversy over the change of name.
Historical Perspective
The significance of the name Bharat
The name “Bharat” has a long and historic significance in India. It is derived from the ancient Sanskrit word “Bhāratavarsha”, which means “land of the descendants of Bharata”. The empire of Bharatvarsha of King Bharata spread out from the Himalayas to the sea. The name Bharat is also mentioned in many other texts, including the Rigveda, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. It is a name that is rich in history and mythology, and it is still used by many people in India today.
In the Mahabharata, Bharata is the name of a legendary king who was the ancestor of the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
- In the Ramayana, Bharata is the name of Lord Rama’s younger brother, who was a loyal and devoted brother who took care of the country when Lord Rama was in exile for 14 years.
- In the Puranas, Bharata is also the name of a sage who was said to have been born from the fire. His fame lies in the traditional attribution of authorship to the treatise known as the Natya Shastra.
Origin of the Name ‘India’
The name “India” was first used by the Greeks to refer to the Indus Valley Civilization, which was located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the earliest civilizations in the world, and it flourished from around 3300 to 1300 BCE. The name “India” was later used by the Romans, and it eventually became the standard name for the entire Indian subcontinent.
The British adopted the name India from the Greeks and Romans, and they used it to refer to the entire Indian subcontinent during their rule. However, they did not actually invent the name.
The British did, however, make some contributions to the way that the name India is used today. For example, they standardized the spelling of the name and they popularized it in the English-speaking world. They also used the name India to refer to the British Raj, which was the colonial government of India from 1858 to 1947 and it has been the official name of the country since independence in 1947.
The exact origin of the name “India” is unknown, but it is a name that has a long and rich history. It is a name that is used by people all over the world, and it is a name that is synonymous with India.
Here are some other possible origins of the name “India”:
- The name may have been derived from the Sanskrit word “Sindhu”, which means “river”.
- The name may have been derived from the Dravidian word “Indu”, which also means “river”.
- The name may have been derived from the name of the Indus Valley Civilization.
The Indian Constitution
Indian Constitution states that ‘India, that is Bharat’ is a ‘Union of States’.
Article 1 (1) India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. (2) The States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First Schedule. (3) The territory of India shall comprise — (a) the territories of the States; (b) the Union territories specified in the First Schedule; and (c) such other territories as may be acquired.
It is a decision that will have far-reaching implications for the country. It requires a constitutional amendment, which would need to be passed by both houses of Parliament.
If the amendment is passed, it would be a significant change for India. It would be the first time that the country’s name has been changed since it gained independence from Britain in 1947.
Debate on renaming India as Bharat
Supporters of the renaming argue that it would be a way to distance India from its colonial past and assert its national identity. They say that the name “Bharat” is more reflective of the country’s rich history and culture. They also argue that it would be a way to promote unity among Indians, as the name “Bharat” is used in many different languages.
Opponents of the renaming argue that it would be a waste of time and money. They say that the name “India” is already well-known and accepted around the world and that changing it would cause confusion and disruption. They also argue that it would be a symbolic gesture that would not have any real impact on the country’s problems.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to rename India is a political one. It is up to the government to decide whether or not the benefits of renaming outweigh the costs.
Here are some of the views of people on the renaming of India to Bharat:
Supporters:
- “The name Bharat is more reflective of our rich history and culture.”
- “It would be a way to distance India from its colonial past.”
- “It would promote unity among Indians.”
Opponents:
- “It would be a waste of time and money.”
- “The name India is already well-known and accepted around the world.”
- “It would cause confusion and disruption.”
- “It is a symbolic gesture that would not have any real impact on the country’s problems.”
The debate over the renaming of India is likely to continue for some time. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue, and it is ultimately up to the government to decide whether or not to rename the country.
