The word Hindu is not a religious word. It is secular in origin. It is derived from the word Sindhu, which is the name of a major river that flows in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. The ancient Greeks and Armenians used to refer the people living beyond the river Sindhu as Hindus and gradually the name struck. When the Muslims came to the sub continent they called the people living in the region as Hindustanis to distinguish them from the foreign Muslims. Subsequently when the British established their rule, they started calling the local religions collectively under the name of Hinduism.
It is interesting to note that the word is neither Sanskrit nor Dravidian and did not originate in India. It was not used by Indians in their descriptions or writings till the 17th century. If we go by the original definition of the word Hindu, any one who lives in the subcontinent is a Hindu and whatever religion he or she practices is Hinduism. The word Hindu is a secular word and literally translated it means Indian and the word Hinduism denotes any religion or religions that are practiced by the multitude of people living in the land beyond the river Indus.
RE:What is the Fight For??
by Perv Sharma on Dec 12, 2007 09:24 AM Permalink
Very Interesting - but U FORGOT the most important thing - when Mohammed started his Barbaric Rule in ARAB LAND - the Parsis migrated and sought Refuge in Hindustan - now at that time there were only Hindus living here - but the Hindus gave them land and allowed them to worship their god and live their independent lives peacefully - How can U shut your eyes to the fact that these people have lived peacefully long before Barbaric ISLAM set its foot on Indian Soil - can't U OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE THE TRUE HINDUS WHO ALLOWED PEOPLE FROM ANOTHER RELIGION TO COME AND LIVE AMONGST THEMSELVES - HOW CAN U SHUT YOUR EYES TO THE FACT THAT PEOPLE IN THAT CENTURY KNEW HOW BARBARIC MOHAMMED WAS BUT U REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BARBARIC ISLAM ?
RE:RE:What is the Fight For??
by Perv Sharma on Dec 12, 2007 09:32 AM Permalink
for your knowledge - the world's first university existed in TAKSHILA and students from far away came and studied - that's how the tolerance of Hindus was know even in the middle east - it was common to find hindu names even upto turkey
The world's only known Diamond mines upto 18th century existed in India as a result the world over Diamonds were traded from India.
ARAB's were surprised that Hindus knew mathematics beyond their grasp because ARABs could only count their fingers ?
So, learn about India and Hindus with a open heart and you will be surprised about the greatness of your ancestors who were Hindus.
Regarding RAM RAJYA - well Valmikis today are counted as SCs but VALMIKI is the saint who wrote RAMAYANYA - YADAVs are BCS or OBC or whatever but KRISHNA was a YADAV - so forget that and enjoy being a Hindu rather than being a SHIA and worried that a SUNNI will kill U ?
RE:What is the Fight For??
by Aftab on Dec 12, 2007 09:39 AM Permalink
Dear Contractor!
Secularism has vanished from India. Secularism means that religious and other beliefs will remain personal to me but for governance, everyone will be equal in all respects.
Today we have caste and religion based parties. RJD, BSP,DMK,BJP, Muslim league and the list goes on. Politics revolves around people of particular religion, caste and creed to consolidate vote bank. The foundation of secularism has not only shaken but its structure too has crumbled.
Congress claims to be the biggest torch bearer of secularism. But tell me what do they do. Example Gujrat riot. They put the blame on a particular party and washed off their hands. In other words their job is only restricted to passing a judgement and declaring that we are not responsible. Others are communal.Did they go beyond this point. The answer is a big "NO".
The silver lining is that we have some people in our society whise consiousness is still alive. Their heart bleeds when they see such violence,silence in the society, hollowness of political parties.Teesta is one such example.
Secularism is long dead. We have poisoned a good large number of young minds. They nurture hatred towards other community.
If we love India then we have to make a new beginning and ensure that our next generation grows with a healthy mind and pure heart in which there is love for all else the turmoil in society will only increase.
