India vs. Bharat: How did India get her Name Bharat?

India is a fascinating country because of its diverse fusion of different cultures, customs, cuisine, and distinct heritage. India has always made her presence felt as a great nation, whether it be through architectural wonders, a highly developed civilization in ancient India, or an epic history of a much-conquered nation. Our country has been known as Bharat - our original Sanskrit name - since ancient times.

According to Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution, "India, or Bharat, shall be a Union of States." India's founding founders gave the country the name Bharat. However, there are several unique reasons why India is officially referred to as Bharat. Many of us are ignorant of the theories surrounding India's naming.

The Term 'Bharat'

According to the Gita, India was given the name 'Bharatvarsha' after the emperor Bharata Chakravarti, the son of King Dushyanta of Hastinapura and Queen Shakuntala. As a result, he is a descendant of the Lunar dynasty of Kshatriya Varna. Bharata was recognised as a brave monarch who went on to conquer the entire Indian kingdom, which came to be known as 'Bharatvarsha,' which means 'Bharatvarsha'. Lord Krishna referred to India as Bharatvarsha in the epic Mahabharata, and this vast Bharata Empire covered not just modern-day India but also sections of Russia, Iran, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, Bangladesh, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.

Bharat is described geographically in the Vishnu Purana. "Uttaram yat samudrasya, Himadreschaiva dakshinam, varsham tad Bharatam nama Bharati yatra santatih", it states. It denotes the country to the north of the ocean and the south of the snowy mountains as Bharatam or Bharat. Bharatvarsha was also mentioned in Hindu writings as part of Jambudweepa. Based on the Vishnu Purana, this country has been known as Bharatvarsha since the reign of King Bharata. King Bharata is regarded as one of the bravest kings ever born; there is a legend that he defeated a lion as a child all by himself. King Bharata conquered all of India and became the only monarch; there are also references in the Mahabharata to the land being known as Bharata Varsha at the time.

Bharat in Rigveda

The Rigveda mentions the powerful tribe Bharat, ruled by King Sudasa. The text mentions a conflict known as 'Dasharajnya' or the war of ten kings, which was waged between ten great tribes to depose King Sudasa of the Bharata tribe. The epic fight took place in Punjab on the banks of the Ravi River. Even though the Bharata tribe was outnumbered, King Sudasa won the war and consolidated his rule over the subcontinent. King Sudasa became immensely popular, and people began to identify as Bharata members. The name 'Bharata' was preserved throughout history, and the country became known as the Land of Bharata.

How did the terms 'Bharat' and 'India' end up in the Constitution?

"Often, as I wandered from meeting to meeting, I spoke to my audiences of this India of ours, of Hindustan and of Bharata, the old Sanskrit name derived from the mythical founders of the race," Nehru wrote in his mammoth "Discovery of India."When it came to designating India in the Constitution, 'Hindustan' was eliminated, and both 'Bharat' and 'India' were kept. On September 17, 1949, during the Constituent Assembly deliberations, the "Name and territory of the Union" was brought up for discussion. From the moment the first article was read aloud, "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States," a schism developed among the participants.

Many members were opposed to the usage of the term "India," which they considered as a reminder of the colonial past. Hari Vishnu Kamath proposed that the first article say, "Bharat, or in English, India, shall be and such." "Bharat is known as India also in foreign countries," said Seth Govind Das, representing the Central Provinces and Berar.