- From the early scriptures like Rig Veda to the historical epics like Mahabharata to the later works of Chanakya and poems of Kalidasa, every major work has recognised the nation as Bharata.
- In spite of the horrifying atrocities it suffered, Bharat signifies the defiance and will of people standing their ground enduring and unwavering on the basis of truth and Dharma.
- Vested interests have used the issue to divide the nation but we cannot continue with the historical blunder and must take up the task of addressing the wrongs of the past for a better future.
Article 1 of the constitution, “India, that is Bharat is a union of states...”.
It is declared in the constitution that the name of this country is Bharat. Recently controversy surrounding the invitation sent to the delegates of the G20 summit, where it was sent in the name of the Republic of Bharat instead of the Republic of India, which was the norm. According to Article 1 of the constitution, as quoted in the beginning, the invite is perfectly in line with the constitution and does not violate the basic structure of the constitution.
Genesys of ‘Bharat’
‘Bharat’ is the name that is used to recognise our country from the times immemorial. This has been used even before the concept of state and country evolved in other parts of the world. The name was used before many of the countries were yet to be formed. The name signifies the continuation of ancient civilisation, which in spite of multiple invasions stood tall and resisted without changing its core Dharma. In spite of the horrifying atrocities it suffered, before which many nations like Babylon, and Persia crumbled, Bharat signifies the defiance and will of people standing their ground enduring and unwavering on the basis of truth and Dharma.
The name Bharat is the symbol of the country which gave the world the idea of universal truth and acceptance. This is the land that taught every person to pray for the peace of not only his countrymen but every living being on the planet. This is the land that saw the same divine being in every single thing.
Originally, the name Bharat came from a tribe during the early bronze age. Historically there seems to be a coalition of 10 kings from the western parts, who waged a war against this tribe. The tribe Bharat won this battle. They perform Ashwamedha Yagna and bring all the tribes of that time and comply with all the knowledge and traditions of the time. With time everyone recognised themselves as a part of Bharat. But there are other interpretations of the origins of the name of Bharat.
Although there are several names this country is known for, different people call it differently. Mesopotamian records have the name Meluha. Middle Eastern people called it Hindus or later Hindustan. It was the Greeks who called it India, which became a common name in European countries. India is the crude corruption that took place from the name of Sapta Sindhu.
Notwithstanding all this, it can be accepted that the people of this country consistently recognised themselves and the country as Bharat along with other names. From the early scriptures like Rig Veda to the historical epics like Mahabharata to the later works of Chanakya and poems of Kalidasa, every major work has recognised the nation as Bharata.
Origin of ‘India’
India as a word came to major usage by Western Colonial masters and their complete control over the education system. The effect of this was so significant that the former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru in his book, Discovery of India wrote, “Bharata- Old Sanskrit name derived from the mythical founders of race”. This sentence is a perfect example of the mindset that was prevalent in the English-speaking elite that was in power in those days. Bharata is not only restricted to Sanskrit but almost all of the languages in this country use Bharat as the name. The term “mythical founders” used by the tallest leader of the Congress, also shows why people who are followers of the family even today are hesitant to recognise the name Bharat. The thousands of years of history reduced to being myth in the imaginative belief of some?
The word Bharata was also equated with the imagined Aryans of the dubious and the now discarded Aryan invasion theory. This theory is the continuation of the Western coloniser’s propaganda to justify their imperialistic attitude that emanated from the “White man’s Burden ”. This has percolated so deep in the psyche of our countrymen that even today after so many decades of freedom and rejection of Aryan Invasion theory by scientists all around the world, there are many who take offence to addressing the country as Bharat.
The maligning of the word Bharat by associating it with a Hindi imposition is a concerning trend despite everyone being fully aware that in almost all of the Indian languages, the word Bharat is used to refer to this nation.
Brand India!
Many experts say that renaming the country Bharat will negatively affect the brand ‘India’ built over many decades in the geopolitical arena. But taking a holistic view, is the brand of our country built on such a weak foundation that asserting its true nature and identity will have devastating effects? Are we in such a pitiful situation that, even after 75 years of independence, we are not free enough to assert our own selves and emerge out of the identity forced upon us by the colonisers? Should we still continue following in the footsteps of the colonial masters for fear of offending a handful of people and denying any chance of acknowledging our identity?
In the end, the words of Hargovind Pant uttered in the Constitutional debates seem relevant when this topic emerges in the popular debate. “If we cling to the word India, it would show that we are ashamed of having this insulting word which has been imposed on us by the alien rulers.”
It is to be noted that the idea here is not a complete removal of the name India. However, the antagonistic feelings of a few of our countrymen towards the name Bharat have to be addressed. It can be argued that over time, people with vested interests in our country have used this issue of India and Bharat to divide the nation. This has gone so far that it is being propagated that Bharat must not be used officially lest it might be inconvenient to many. Are we to continue with the historical blunder just because it seems convenient or should we take up the task of addressing the wrongs of the past for a better future?
(The author has an M.Sc. in Psychology and serves in NIMHANS. He writes regularly on politics, society, international affairs and technology. Opinions expressed are the author’s own)
Dr. Niranjan B Poojar 
Balaji Subramanian