[Answered] Examine the historical factors that have influenced the names “India” and “Bharat”. Assess the multidimensional implications of changing the country’s name from “India” to “Bharat”.

The names “India” and “Bharat” both have deep historical and cultural significance in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Article 1 of the Constitution uses the two names interchangeably: “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. Recently, the Union government has decided to use Bharat instead of India in some official communication and documents which evoked strong reactions from opposition parties raising many implications of changing the country’s name from “India” to “Bharat”.

Some historical factors which have influenced the names “India” & “Bharat”:

• Historical references: Ancient texts like Vishnu Purana and Brahma Purana, Mahabharata mention ‘Bharat’ while “India” is believed to have originated from the Greek word “Indos,” which referred to the people living along the Indus River. Seventh-century Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang had referred to the country as Bharat while “India” became the official name of the country when it gained independence in 1947.
• Cultural significance: The name “Bharat” holds a special place in Indian culture and tradition. Bharata is also the name of the ancient king of legend who was the ancestor of the Rig Vedic tribe of the Bharatas, and by extension, the progenitor of all peoples of the subcontinent. The name “India” on the other hand has been used by foreign powers, including the British, who colonized the region. It also represents a diverse and pluralistic nation with a rich cultural heritage.
• Constitution debates: Several debates in the Constitution Assembly show that leaders were divided on the words India & Bharat. Leaders like Nehru, and Ambedkar favoured both ‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ while Hargovind Pant & Hari Vishnu Kamath suggested only the use of the term “Bharat”.

What are the multidimensional implications of changing the country’s name?

• Administrative Challenges: The name “India” is well-established in legal documents, international treaties, and administrative systems. Changing it to “Bharat” would require extensive administrative adjustments in various official documents, symbols, and infrastructure.
• Political implication: The name “India” is associated with the modern, democratic nation-state established in 1947 & reflects India’s identity as a secular republic. Changing the country’s name to “Bharat” could have political implications, as it might be seen as an attempt to emphasize a particular cultural or historical identity.
• Linguistic identity: There can be an issue of national & linguistic identity with North Indian states favouring the usage of Bharat while Southern states prefer to use “India” as it is a name that transcends linguistic boundaries.
• International Implications: The country’s official communique or international personality continues to be denoted by the word “India” which reflects a modern, secular, and inclusive nation that strives to accommodate diverse cultures and religions.

Conclusion:

Both words are used interchangeably & have constitutional backing with India gaining its primacy from Article 1(1) & “Bharat” from the 58th Amendment empowering the President to have published under his authority the authoritative text ‘in the Hindi language’ of the Constitution.