Introduction:

The names of India’s states reflect the country’s rich and diverse history, culture, and geography. From the Sanskrit word for “great nation” to the Munda word for “forest”, each state name has a unique story to tell.

In this blog post, we will take a journey through the origins of the names of each of India’s 29 states. We will explore the historical, geographical, and cultural influences that have shaped these names, and we will learn about the people and places that they represent.

How each state of India got its name:  

Assam:

The name Assam is thought to have originated from the Ahom dynasty, which ruled the region from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The Ahoms were a Tai people who migrated to Assam from Myanmar, and they brought with them their own language and culture. The Ahom word for “kingdom” was “ahom”, and this is thought to be the root of the state’s name.

Bihar:

The name Bihar is derived from the Pali word “vihara”, which means “monastery”. The region was once home to many Buddhist monasteries, and these played an important role in its development. The viharas were centers of learning and culture, and they attracted scholars and pilgrims from all over Asia.

Chhattisgarh:

The name Chhattisgarh literally means “36 forts” in Hindi. The region is home to many forts, which were built by the Gond dynasty, who ruled the region from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The forts were used to defend the region from invaders, and they also served as administrative and cultural centers.

Goa:

The name Goa is thought to have originated from the Konkani word “govai”, which means “cow-land”. The region was once a major center for cattle trade, and it was also known for its lush green pastures. The Portuguese arrived in Goa in the 16th century, and they ruled the region for over 400 years. During this time, the name Goa became widely known throughout the world.

Gujarat:

The name Gujarat is derived from the Sanskrit word “gurjarata”, which means “land of the Gurjars”. The Gurjars were a nomadic people who migrated to Gujarat from Central Asia in the 6th century AD. The Gurjars played an important role in the development of the region, and they established several dynasties that ruled Gujarat over the centuries.

Haryana:

The name Haryana is derived from the Hindi word “harayana”, which means “land of God”. The region is home to many important Hindu pilgrimage sites, such as Kurukshetra, where the Mahabharata is said to have taken place. Haryana is also known for its rich cultural heritage, and it is home to many folk dances and songs.

Himachal Pradesh:

The name Himachal Pradesh literally means “snow-capped mountain region” in Sanskrit. The state is located in the Himalayas, and it is home to many of India’s highest peaks, including Mount Kanchenjunga and Mount Nanda Devi. Himachal Pradesh is also known for its beautiful valleys, forests, and lakes.

Jharkhand:

The name Jharkhand is derived from the Munda word “jharna”, which means “forest”. The region is home to many dense forests, which are inhabited by a variety of tribal communities. Jharkhand is also known for its mineral resources, such as coal, iron ore, and copper.

Karnataka:

The name Karnataka is derived from the Sanskrit word “karunata”, which means “land of black soil”. The state is known for its fertile black soil, which is ideal for agriculture. Karnataka is also home to many ancient temples and historical sites, such as Hampi and Pattadakal.

Kerala:

The name Kerala is derived from the Malayalam word “kera”, which means “coconut”. The state is known for its coconut plantations and its beautiful beaches. Kerala

Madhya Pradesh:

The name Madhya Pradesh literally means “central province” in Sanskrit. The state is located in the central part of India, and it is home to a variety of historical and cultural sites, such as the Khajuraho temples and the Ajanta Caves.

Maharashtra:

The name Maharashtra is derived from the Sanskrit words “maha” and “rashtra”, which mean “great” and “nation” respectively. The state is the most populous state in India, and it is home to a variety of ethnic groups and languages. Maharashtra is also known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes Bollywood, Marathi literature, and Marathi theater.

Manipur:

The name Manipur is derived from the Manipuri word “meitei”, which is the name of the majority ethnic group in the state. Manipur is known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes folk dances, music, and art.

Meghalaya:

The name Meghalaya literally means “abode of the clouds” in Sanskrit. The state is located in the northeastern part of India, and it is known for its lush green hills, forests, and waterfalls.

Mizoram:

The name Mizoram is derived from the Mizo word “mizoram”, which means “land of the Mizos”. The Mizos are a tribal community that is native to the state. Mizoram is also known for its beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife.

Nagaland:

The name Nagaland is derived from the Naga people, who are a group of tribal communities that are native to the state. Nagaland is known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes folk dances, music, and art.

Odisha:

The name Odisha is derived from the Sanskrit word “odhra”, which means “land of the Odras”. The Odras were a people who lived in the region over 2,500 years ago. Odisha is known for its ancient temples, such as the Sun Temple at Konark, and its beautiful beaches.

Punjab:

The name Punjab literally means “five rivers” in Persian. The state is located in the northwestern part of India, and it is home to the five rivers of the Indus River system: the Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej. Punjab is also known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes Sikhism, Punjabi literature, and Punjabi music.

Rajasthan:

The name Rajasthan literally means “land of the kings” in Sanskrit. The state is home to many forts and palaces, which were built by the Rajput kings who ruled the region for centuries. Rajasthan is also known for its beautiful deserts, lakes, and wildlife.

Sikkim:

The name Sikkim is derived from the Lepcha word “su-khyim”, which means “new home”. The Lepchas are a tribal community that is native to the state. Sikkim is known for its beautiful mountains, glaciers, and lakes.

Tamil Nadu:

The name Tamil Nadu literally means “land of the Tamils” in Tamil. The Tamils are a Dravidian people who are native to the state. Tamil Nadu is known for its ancient temples, such as the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, and its rich cultural heritage, which includes Tamil literature and Tamil cinema.

Telangana:

The name Telangana is derived from the Telugu word “trilinga”, which means “three lingams”. The lingam is a symbol of the Hindu god Shiva, and there are three important Shiva temples in Telangana. Telangana is also known for its ancient forts and palaces, such as the Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.

Tripura:

The name Tripura is derived from the Tripuri people, who are a tribal community that is native to the state. Tripura is known for its beautiful hills, forests, and temples.

Uttarakhand:

The name Uttarakhand literally means “northern region” in Sanskrit. The state is located in the northernmost part of India, and it is home to many of India’s highest peaks, such as Mount Nanda Devi and Mount Gangotri. Uttarakhand is also known for its beautiful valleys, forests, and lakes.

Uttar Pradesh:

The name Uttar Pradesh literally means “northern province” in Sanskrit. The state is located in the northern part of India, and it is the most populous state in the country. Uttar Pradesh

West Bengal:

The name West Bengal literally means “western Bengal” in Bengali. The state is located in the eastern part of India, and it is home to the Bengali people. West Bengal is known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes Bengali literature, Bengali music, and Bengali cinema.

Union territories of India:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The name Andaman and Nicobar Islands is thought to have originated from the Sanskrit words “undaman” and “nakuli”, which mean “ocean” and “naked” respectively. The Nicobar Islands are said to have been named after the Nicobar people, who are the indigenous inhabitants of the islands.

Chandigarh: The name Chandigarh is derived from the Hindi words “chandi” and “garh”, which mean “beautiful” and “fort” respectively. The city was designed by the Swiss architect Le Corbusier, and it is known for its modern architecture and planned layout.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: The names Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are derived from the names of the four main towns in the union territory. Dadra and Nagar Haveli were Portuguese colonies until 1954, while Daman and Diu were Portuguese colonies until 1961.

Delhi: The name Delhi is thought to have originated from the Sanskrit word “dilli”, which means “heart”. Delhi has been the capital of India for many centuries, and it is home to many important historical and cultural sites, such as the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, and the India Gate.

Jammu and Kashmir: The names Jammu and Kashmir are derived from the names of the two main regions in the union territory. Jammu is known for its Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites, while Kashmir is known for its Muslim mosques and shrines.

Ladakh: The name Ladakh is derived from the Tibetan word “la dvags”, which means “land of many passes”. Ladakh is a high-altitude desert region that is known for its stunning scenery, Buddhist monasteries, and trekking trails.

Lakshadweep: The name Lakshadweep is derived from the Sanskrit words “laksha” and “dweepa”, which mean “one hundred thousand” and “island” respectively. Lakshadweep is a group of over 30 islands that are located in the Arabian Sea. The islands are known for their white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and coral reefs.

Puducherry: The name Puducherry is derived from the Tamil words “puthu” and “cheri”, which mean “new” and “town” respectively. Puducherry was a French colony until 1954. The union territory is known for its French colonial architecture and its beaches.