Hindustan facts for kids

Hindustan is a word that has been used for a very long time to describe different parts of the world, especially around India. It can mean a few things, mostly related to geography.

For example, Hindustan can refer to:

• The country of India itself.
• The larger Indian subcontinent, which includes India and nearby countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• The land around the Indus River. Ancient Persians used this term to describe the area near this important river.
• A specific region in northern India. This area is located east and south of the Yamuna river, nestled between the Vindhya mountains and the mighty Himalayas. This is where the Hindi/Hindustani language is widely spoken.

Over time, the word Hindustan also started being used for other things, like names of companies or places.

Modern Uses of Hindustan

Today, you might hear the word Hindustan in different contexts:

• Hindustan Times: This is a very well-known English language daily newspaper published in Northern India.
• HAL Airport: Also known as Hindustan Airport, this is a major airport located in Bangalore, a big city in Karnataka, India.

History of the Name

The name Hindustan comes from ancient times. It is a Persian word that means "Land of the Indus." The Indus River is one of the longest rivers in Asia and flows through parts of India and Pakistan. People from Persia (modern-day Iran) used this name to describe the lands beyond the Indus River.

Over centuries, the meaning of Hindustan changed. Sometimes it meant the entire Indian subcontinent, and other times it referred specifically to the northern parts of India where the Hindi language is spoken.

Hindustani Language

The term Hindustani language refers to a group of languages spoken in Northern India and Pakistan. It includes both Hindi and Urdu. These languages are very similar in their spoken form, but they use different writing systems. Hindi is written in the Devanagari script, while Urdu is written in a modified Persian script.

Cultural Significance

The word Hindustan has a strong cultural meaning for many people in India. It often brings to mind a sense of national pride and history. Phrases like "Jai Hind," which means "Victory to India" or "Long Live India," are very popular and use the word "Hind" as a short form of Hindustan. This phrase was especially important during India's fight for independence.

Images for kids

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  An 1855 map showing India, also called Hindostan.

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  The plains around the Yamuna River, which is a part of the Hindustan region.

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  A Jai Hind postmark, which was issued on 15 August 1947, the day India became independent.

See also

In Spanish: Indostán para niños