There is much discussion of who first called this country we now call India, as one country. Who invented "India"? Someone jokingly said the other day that India is believed to have been created by Jawaharlal Nehru in his "Discovery of India".
I did some research, after hearing the mention of Vishnu Purana. This scripture is dated variously from 3rd century BC to 7C CE.
Here is a mention of our country there:
These verses are in chapter 3 of section 2. The scan is from the publication of a work of Sanskrit translation by one Sri Vishnuchittar in the 20th century. See the front page. This book is available on the Internet.
The translation of the Vishnu Purana in 1840 was done by Mr. Wilson, and that book too is available on the Internet.
I did some research, after hearing the mention of Vishnu Purana. This scripture is dated variously from 3rd century BC to 7C CE.
Here is a mention of our country there:
Its translation, done by Mr. Wilson, is as follows:
THE country that lies north of the ocean, and south of the snowy mountains, is called Bhárata, for there dwelt the descendants of Bharata. It is nine thousand leagues in extent, and is the land of works, in consequence of which men go to heaven, or obtain emancipation.
The translation of the Vishnu Purana in 1840 was done by Mr. Wilson, and that book too is available on the Internet.
