India (disambiguation) facts for kids

India, officially known as the Republic of India, is a large country in South Asia. The name "India" can mean different things depending on the topic. It can refer to the country itself, or to larger historical and geographical areas.

Different Meanings of "India"

Geographical Areas Called India

• The entire Indian subcontinent: This is a huge landmass in Asia. It includes not only the country of India but also its neighbors like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
• The Indies: This was an old name for all of South and Southeast Asia. Explorers used it a long time ago.
• The East Indies: These are the islands of Southeast Asia, like Indonesia and the Philippines. They were once called "Greater India" because of their connection to the Indian subcontinent.
• The West Indies: These are the islands in the Caribbean Sea, near North and South America. They got this name because early European explorers thought they had reached Asia (the "Indies") when they found these islands.

Historical Names for India

• Hindustan: This name was used for medieval India. Sometimes, people still use it to refer to modern India.
• British Raj: This was the official name for the Indian Empire when it was ruled by the British. This period lasted from 1757 to 1947.

Related Information

• Indian (disambiguation)