It is a well-known fact that Guru Nanak Dev Ji used the word ‘Hindustan’ in his holy hymns. These hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

These are two lines of two different hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, where the word ‘Hindustan’ has been used: –

Kaaeaa Kaparh Tuk Tuk Hosee Hindustaan Samaalsee Bola.
(The body-fabric will be torn apart into shreds, and then India will remember these words). (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 723).

And,

Khuraasaan Khasmaana Keeaa Hindustaan Daraaeaa.
(Having acquired Khuraasaan, Baabar terrified Hindustan). (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 360).

Guru Nanak Dev Ji used the word ‘Hindustan’ for his own country Bharat, generally known as India amongst English readers. Now, Bharat, Hindustan and India, all of these three names are official names of our country.

Now, the question is who for the first time used the word ‘Hindustan’ for India?

A claim has been made that a book Baarhaspatyua Samhita used the term ‘Hindusthanam’: –

Himalyam Samarabhya

Yavadindusarovaram

Tam Deonirmitam Desham

Hindusthanam Prachakshate ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustan {Opens in new window}).

However, the book Baarhaspatyua Samhita is considered a controversial one, as it is very hard to prove it an ancient book.

It is a fact that the word ‘Hindustan’ is not found in four vedas, 18 Puranas and main Upnishandas.

My father (late Bhai Avtar Singh Ji) once told me there was an opinion that the word ‘Hindustan’ for the first time was used by Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself, or at least he was the person who popularised the word.

Now, an article on a Hindi website made similar statement. The headline itself says that Bharat was called Hindustan first by (Guru) Nanak. ( http://khabar.ndtv.com/2008/11/12130721/guru-nanak-hindustan.html {Opens in a new window}).

I hope that someone will investigate the issue and provide us more details about the word ‘Hindustan’.