Hindistan

Hindistan is a name used in several languages to refer to the Indian subcontinent and, in some contexts, the modern Republic of India. The form Hindistan is derived from Hind, an ancient designation linked to the Indus region, and the Persian suffix -stan meaning land. Historically, Hindistan or Hindustan has described a broad area across the northern Indian subcontinent, while in some contemporary usages it denotes either the broader cultural region or the nation of India.

Geography and landscape: Hindistan lies in South Asia and shares land borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, with coastlines along the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal. The region encompasses diverse geographies, including the Himalayan range, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Deccan Plateau, and extensive coastlines.

History: The area contains ancient civilizations such as the Indus Valley Civilisation and has seen powerful empires including the Maurya, Gupta, and Mughal empires. It was later subject to European colonial rule, principally the British Raj. India gained independence in 1947 and became a republic in 1950. The subcontinent hosts a wealth of historical sites and architectural traditions.

Demography and society: The population exceeds 1.4 billion, making it one of the most populous regions in the world. It is ethnolinguistically and religiously diverse, with languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and many others. Major religions include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Economy and culture: Hindistan features a large and diverse economy with services, manufacturing, and agriculture. It has made lasting contributions to mathematics, science, literature, cinema (notably Bollywood), music, cuisine, and art. The modern republic is a federal union of states with a pluralistic political system.