What were the ancient names for India?
The ancient names for India include 'Sapta Sindhava' (land of seven rivers) from the Rig Veda, 'Bhāratavarṣha' and 'Jambudvīpa' from the Mahābhārata, and 'Bhārata' from the Viṣṇu Purāṇa.
Foreign names included 'Hind', 'Hidu', 'Hindu' from the Persians; 'Indoi' or 'Indike' from the Greeks; 'Yintu' or 'Yindu' and 'Tianzhu' from the Chinese; and 'Hindustan' from later Persian inscriptions.
Explanation
The chapter provides a comprehensive list of ancient names for India. Indian names evolved from 'Sapta Sindhava' in the Rig Veda (northwest region), to 'Bhāratavarṣha' and 'Jambudvīpa' in the Mahābhārata, and finally 'Bhārata' in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. Foreign names derived mainly from 'Sindhu' (Indus River): Persians used 'Hind', 'Hidu', 'Hindu'; Greeks used 'Indoi', 'Indike'; Chinese used 'Yintu', 'Yindu', 'Tianzhu'.
Solution Steps
Indian names included 'Sapta Sindhava' from the Rig Veda, 'Bhāratavarṣha' and 'Jambudvīpa' from the Mahābhārata, and 'Bhārata' from the Viṣṇu Purāṇa.
Foreign names included 'Hind', 'Hidu', 'Hindu' from the Persians, 'Indoi' or 'Indike' from the Greeks, 'Yintu' or 'Yindu' and 'Tianzhu' from the Chinese, and 'Hindustan' from later Persian inscriptions.