Question
Why is India also called Bharata?
Answer
After the name of an ancient king Bharata, India is also known as Bharata-varṣa since the prehistoric times. Before it, this land was called as Ajanābha-varṣa. This is stated in Shrimad Bhagavatam:
ajanābhaṁ nāmaitad varṣaṁ bhāratam iti yata ārabhya vyapadiśanti. [SB - 5.7.3]
Meaning
The name of this land was Ajanabha. It came to be known as Bharata after starting of his (King Bharata) reign.
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