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:SO What is the Fight For??
by krishna ramesh on Dec 22, 2007 05:24 PM Permalink
THE RESEARCH IS DONE BY YOU ONLY I THINK.HINDUS MEANS SECULAR.MUSLIMS FUNDAMENTALIST.THERE IS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN SINDU AND SECULARISM.HINDUISM MEANS TOLERENT RELIGEON.NOW WE ARE TOO MUCH TOLERENT MORE PROBLEM .WE HAVE CREATED PAKISTAN BANGLASESH THEY ARE SENDING TERRORIST.IF YOU CONTINOUSLY BECOME MORE AND MORE TOLRENT GOD ONLY COME TO EARTH AND PROTECT US.UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN RELIGEON IS GOOD WHAT ABOUT SOME CROOKS TAKES ADNANTAGE
RE:SO What is the Fight For??
by Fantastic on Dec 22, 2007 04:48 PM Permalink
Please explore more ie beyond mulla version of hinduism. Donot hesistate to explore yourself.
