What is the meaning of the word Hindu?

 

(IN HINDI- Origin of the term Hindu watch from 5min 15sec to 9min)

Apologies for the video in Hindi. The speaker is a Brahmin scholar. I am deliberately avoiding referring to him as a Hindu. Reason for the video: It has some good references

The term Hindu, short for Hindustani was first used by the Persians. To the Persians and the Arabs, the word Hindu meant all the derogatory words you can think of.. Black, Thief, Kaffir, Slave.

A Hindu was a geographical, not religious, identity until the disintegration of Hindustan into Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepali. The Hindus, of what was then Hindustan, are now called Pakistanis, Indian, Nepalis, Bangladeshis etc just as the Soviets of the then Soviet Union are now called Ukrainians, Russian etc. There are no more Soviets & Hindus because there is no more a Soviet Union or Hindustan.

In the next clip the Indian Prime minister, Narendra Modi vehemently defends his view that what is assumed to be a religion of the Hindus, ie Hinduism’ is not a religion at all

NOTE:

The word ‘Hindu’ is NOT a mis-pronunciation of 'Sindhu' by the Persians, as some would like you to believe, for..

in Persian both, the 'S-sound' and the 'H-sound' are clearly pronounced

Many scholars believe that this suggestion is a diversion tactic to hide from the masses the original meaning of the word 'Hindu'

Author: Shekhar Bodhakar

Also Read:

1. If Hindu is a geographical term then how do non Muslim Indians prefer to be called What terms are there for defining them?

2. Why should Hindu Identity be given up?

3. Why the scheduled castes and tribes are not Hindu?

4. Is Hinduism a religion or a way of life?