What is the word Hindu? What is the meaning of word Hindu?
No body knows the origin of Word Hindu, as it was derived/ misspelled from Sindhu River. Persians called Indus River as Sindhu and later the word Sindhu became Hindu. Greeks wrote Indus, Persians wrote Sindhu, Arabs called Al-Hind. Some says ancient Greeks used to mis pronounce word Sindhu as Indos. The word Hindu itself is non-Hindu and a non-Sanskrit word.
During Medieval period Muslim rulers and travelers named the place as Hindustan. British Colonial Empire continues the practice and referred all the natives(Buddhists, Jains,,,) as Hindoos. Later they began using the word more as a religious term to distinguish them from Muslims and Christians. The distinction suited them well to lump all natives as Indians, while the word Hindoo served them well to implement the policy of divide and rule within India.
Those who feel appalled at the idea of someone referring to all Indians as Hindu should read History to know more about the word Hindu. It is interesting to note that the word Hindu is neither sanskrit nor Dravidian and did not originate in India. It was not used by Indians in descriptions or writings till 17th Century.
Mohanjodaro and Harappa civilisation are found in Pakistan.
Indus Valley Civilisation was spread upto Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and India. No one knows the religion of that period.
Some historians even wrote that nomadic people came from Iran to this region were aryans.
RE:What is Hindu? meaningless word.....
by Sam on Jul 30, 2008 07:02 AM Permalink
Actually you are right to an extent. The actual name of the religion is Sanathana Dharma or Eternal religion. Not many hindus know that.
RE:RE:What is Hindu? meaningless word.....
by Jai Singh on Jul 30, 2008 06:15 AM Permalink
So whats ur problem. Hindu came from Sindhu river because a civilization developed on the banks of that river. How it becomes meaningless than? Is Moscow also meaningless as it is named after he river "Mascava".
RE:What is Hindu? meaningless word.....
by Jai Singh on Jul 30, 2008 06:24 AM Permalink
And the interesting fact is that Pakistan was originally on the banks of the river Sindhu. So all the Pakistanis are basically hindus (the word they hate so much).Hindu religion is flowing like the river providing life to the whole world.
RE:What is Hindu? meaningless word.....
by Partha Choudhury on Jul 30, 2008 06:52 AM Permalink
What's in a name? Come back and argue they day you understand the philosophy that Hinduism has given to the world.
RE:What is Hindu? meaningless word.....
by Jai Prakash Singh on Jul 30, 2008 06:56 AM Permalink
Only Lord Brahma can understand the philosophy of "Hinduism" fully, not mortals like u n me.
