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A country’s name is more than just a label. It carries the weight of history, culture, and identity. Changing a country’s name is a significant move, often accompanied by political implications. Recently, at the Group of 20 meeting in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked curiosity when he used the Hindi and Sanskrit alternative name, Bharat, to refer to India.
During the summit, Modi sat behind a nameplate that read “Bharat,” invitations to the banquet were addressed from the “President of Bharat,” and a booklet distributed to guests was titled “Bharat: The Mother of Democracy.” This led many to wonder if Modi was setting the stage for an official name change for the world’s most populous country.
The idea of a name change wouldn’t be out of character for Modi, given that his political party is called the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which translates to Indian People’s Party. India and Bharat have both been recognized names for the country since its independence from Great Britain. However, India is the more commonly used name in English, while Indians often use both interchangeably when speaking in different languages.
But any potential name change must be viewed in the context of rising Hindu nationalism, which has marginalized Muslims and other minority groups since Modi and the BJP came to power in 2014. Throughout history, changing a country’s name has often been a tool used to enhance nationalist sentiment and reject colonial influence. This strategy allows leaders to establish their legitimacy and ignite patriotism among their citizens.
For example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, military officer Joseph Mobutu changed the country’s name to the Republic of Zaire in 1965, as part of his campaign for “authenticité.” Mobutu aimed to erase the country’s Belgian colonial past and promote African identity. Eventually, in 1997, after Mobutu’s downfall, the country’s name reverted to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Similarly, Burma’s military generals changed the country’s name to Myanmar in 1989, attempting to legitimize their power grab. The name change was seen as a break from the colonial past and an inclusive gesture toward non-Burman ethnic minorities. While the United Nations now officially recognizes the country as Myanmar, the United States still refers to it as Burma due to political reasons.
In 2018, Swaziland’s King Mswati III changed the country’s name to Eswatini, meaning “land of the Swazi people,” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of independence from Britain. These examples show that name changes can be driven by a range of factors, including political, nationalistic, and commemorative motives.
Some countries have undergone name changes for practical reasons. The Republic of Macedonia became the Republic of North Macedonia in 2018 to resolve a long-standing dispute with Greece, which had a region with the same name. The Czech Republic also changed its name to Czechia to simplify its official name and provide a clear shorthand for citizens.
So, why would Modi be considering changing India to Bharat? And why now? One possibility is that Modi is appealing to his Hindu nationalist base, while also seeking political advantage ahead of the upcoming elections. The opposition parties have united under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to challenge Modi’s BJP. By comparing the alliance to the colonial East India Tea Company, Modi is framing the election as a battle between himself and the concept of India.
While the motivations behind Modi’s potential name change remain unclear, it is worth considering the implications of such a decision. India’s name has historical significance and is widely recognized around the world. Even if the name were formally changed to Bharat, it is likely that many people would still refer to the country as India. Similar habits can be seen in other name changes throughout history, where old names continue to persist among certain groups.
In conclusion, changing a country’s name is a complex decision with far-reaching consequences. It is evident that names carry deep historical and cultural meaning, symbolizing a nation’s identity. The potential name change from India to Bharat reflects the political climate and dynamics in India, as well as the desire to assert a distinct nationalistic identity. Only time will tell if this name change will become a reality or remain a mere speculation.
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