1. Definition of a Hindu The word Hindu has geographical significance and was used originally for those people who lived beyond the river Sindhu or the region watered by the river Indus. Some historians say that it was first used by the Persians who came to India through the north western passes of the Himalayas. The word Hindu is no where mentioned in Indian literature or scriptures before the advent of Muslims to India, according to the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics. According to Jawaharlal Nehru in the book Discovery of India on page 74-75, he writes that the earliest reference to the word Hindu can be traced to a tantrik of the 8th Century CE, where it means a people and not a follower of a particular religion. The use of the word Hindu in connection with a particular religion is of late occurrence. In short Hindu is a geographical definition used for the people living beyond the river Indus or those living in India
RE:What is Hindu
by Farooq on Sep 25, 2007 09:48 PM Permalink
Hello to all the sensible Indians on rediff and request to others to stay away from this forum, because you are just spreading venom and hatred (as per you would have been thought in RSS/VHP schools). Mr. Junaid has brought up very good point here on "definition of hindu", read the associated articles before jumping to any hate reactions. If time permits read the following article which talk in volumes about the most condemned religion today but still it offers the peace. The article is what Muslim should & are made to believe about other gods esp Lord RAM. Ofcourse main stream media never will publish this promptly in order to reduce the divide & hatred. However this is what a normal, average muslim is thought in madrassa (not the ones with ISI trainers in PAK) and in normal muslim upbrining, which you dont make effort to see but only make ur decisions on few bad instances displayed by bad muslims and glorified by entire media.
