India, May 15 -- Since time immemorial, civilisations have invariably been perceived through the names associated with them. The nomenclature 'India' is a term shaped by geography rather than culture, given by outsiders. However, 'Bharat' is a timeless name through which this civilization has addressed itself for ages. In a completely decolonized civilisation, Bharat deserves unequivocal primacy over India.

The mighty river Sindhu and the Vedic culture are like conjoined twins, so much so that even the Rig Veda refers to Sapta-Sindhu, the land of seven rivers spread across the north-western subcontinent. In Vedic hymns, Sindhu is synonymous with both the Indus and its wider cultural landscape.

With the eastward expansion of the Achaemen...