There is considerate debate amoung scholars as the origins of the word Hindu. What they
all agree on, however, is that the word Hindu was initially used as a geographic reference
reference to the people who reside in South Asia. It was much later that the term took a
religious connotation.

The most popular origin theory for the word Hindu is that it is a corruption of 'Sindhu'
or rather, a sound shift that was later adopted in a number of indigenous dialects as well.

The Persians coined it (S is replaced by H in Persian) to refer to those that lived
beyond the mighty Sindhu River. There are references in the Zend Avestha and Bem Riyadh
to 'Hapta Hindu' (Land of Seven Mighty Rivers).


Some scholars hold that ancient Indian civilisation did have a name of its own,
prior to the arrival of Persians. In his book Self-Government in India (published in 1912),
NB Pavgee holds that a Sanskrit scholar, Swami Mangal Nathji, had found ancient
writings called Birhannaradi Purana in Hoshiarpur (Punjab). They contained the verse:


Himalayam samarabhya yavat bindusarovaram
Hindusthanamiti qyatan hi antaraksha-rayogatah

The country between Himalayas and Bindu Sarovar (Cape Commorin Sea) is
Hindusthan derived by combining the first letter 'Hi' of Himalayas and the
last compound letter 'ndu' of the word Bindu.


Other instances are cited in Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana and the Brihaspati Samhita:

Aaasindo sindhu paryantham yasyabharatha bhoomikah
Mathrubhuh pithrubhoochaiva sah vai hindurithismrithaah

Another verse reads as:

Sapta sindhu muthal sindhu maha samudhram vareyulla bharatha bhoomi aarkkellamaano
Mathru bhoomiyum pithru bhoomiyumayittullathu, avaraanu hindukkalaayi ariyappedunnathu

Both indicate that whoever considers the land of Bharatha Bhoomi between Saptha Sindhu and
the Indian Ocean as his motherland and fatherland is known as Hindu. However, here we also
have the real and ancient name of India mentioned as 'Bharatha Varsha'. This is true in
numerous Vedic references in the Puranas, Mahabharata and other texts.

Another theory is that it is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Hidi', which means to
achieve one's objective, to acquire knowledge, to be progressive and ignore what is
obstructive. Therefore, one who follows the spiritual path in order to acquire
perfection through divine knowledge is known as 'Hindu'.

• "Origins of the name India", Usha Arvind, http://www.indianlink.com.au/?q=node/348
• "About the name Hindu", Stephen Knapp, http://www.stephen-knapp.com/about_the_name_Hindu.htm