<P> The word Hindu is derived from the Indo - Aryan and Sanskrit word Sindhu , which means `` a large body of water '' , covering `` river , ocean '' . It was used as the name of the Indus river and also referred to its tributaries . The actual term ' hindu ' first occurs , states Gavin Flood , as `` a Persian geographical term for the people who lived beyond the river Indus ( Sanskrit : Sindhu ) '' , more specifically in the 6th - century BCE inscription of Darius I . The Punjab region , called Sapta Sindhava in the Vedas , is called Hapta Hindu in Zend Avesta . The 6th - century BCE inscription of Darius I mentions the province of Hi ( n ) dush , referring to northwestern India . The people of India were referred to as Hinduvān ( Hindus ) and hindavī was used as the adjective for Indian in the 8th century text Chachnama . The term ' Hindu ' in these ancient records is an ethno - geographical term and did not refer to a religion . The Arabic equivalent Al - Hind likewise referred to the country of India . </P>
<P> The word Hindu is derived from the Indo - Aryan and Sanskrit word Sindhu , which means `` a large body of water '' , covering `` river , ocean '' . It was used as the name of the Indus river and also referred to its tributaries . The actual term ' hindu ' first occurs , states Gavin Flood , as `` a Persian geographical term for the people who lived beyond the river Indus ( Sanskrit : Sindhu ) '' , more specifically in the 6th - century BCE inscription of Darius I . The Punjab region , called Sapta Sindhava in the Vedas , is called Hapta Hindu in Zend Avesta . The 6th - century BCE inscription of Darius I mentions the province of Hi ( n ) dush , referring to northwestern India . The people of India were referred to as Hinduvān ( Hindus ) and hindavī was used as the adjective for Indian in the 8th century text Chachnama . The term ' Hindu ' in these ancient records is an ethno - geographical term and did not refer to a religion . The Arabic equivalent Al - Hind likewise referred to the country of India . </P>
what is the meaning of hindu in arabic dictionary
what is the meaning of hindu in arabic dictionary
the country of India
the country of India