Question

In what ways has a the meaning of the term Hindustan changed over time?

Answer 1

The meaning of the term 'Hindustan' has changed a number of times over the centuries. Presently, the term 'Hindustan' is understood by 'India', a modern nation state. However, the term 'Hindustan' carried different meanings in medieval times.

1. The rulers in the Sultanate and Mughal period called their Indian dominion centred around Delhi as Hindustan.
2. During the 13th century, the writer Minhaj-us-Siraj used the term 'Hindustan' in political context to denote kingdom areas of Punjab, Haryana and the land between Ganga and Yamuna,
3. In the 16th century, Babur and Amir Khusrau used the term 'Hindustan' to describe the geography, fauna and culture of the inhabitants of the sub-continent.