Besides Bharat, What Other Old Names of Countries Do You Know? Quiz

Hey there! Have you heard about India might be renamed as Bharat?Do you know any old country names? Introducing our super fun quiz, "Besides Bharat, What Other Old Names of Countries Do You Know?" Get ready to dive into history and discover fascinating facts about countries that have undergone name changes throughout the years. From Persia to Siam, this quiz will challenge your trivia skills and leave you wanting more. So, are you up for the challenge? Let's get started and see how many old country names you know!

India or Bharat: What’s behind a country's name?

During the G20 summit held in Delhi on September 9th and 10th, there was a noticeable change in the way India was referred to.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen sitting behind a nameplate that read "Bharat," the Hindi name for India. This, coupled with the official invitations for the summit dinner, which referred to Droupadi Murmu as the "President of Bharat" instead of the usual "President of India," sparked speculation that India may be undergoing a name change.

Adding to the speculation, a tweet from a senior spokesperson of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also referred to Narendra Modi as the "prime minister of Bharat." However, Mr. Modi has not commented on this matter, leaving room for frenzied conjecture.

While India is the most commonly used name for the country, t is often referred to as Bharat or sometimes Hindustan by Indian officials and the public. The term Bharat can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit scriptures, dating back to around 2,000 years ago. This historical significance adds weight to the speculation surrounding the use of Bharat during the G20 summit.

The phenomenon of countries changing their names is not new. Nations often undergo name changes for various reasons, including political, geographic, and religious factors. To provide further context, let us explore some other countries that have undergone name changes.

Why is Turkey now called Türkiye?

Turkey, for instance, is now commonly referred to as Türkiye. In 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his desire for his country to be called Türkiye in all languages. According to him, the word Türkiye better represents the culture, civilization, and values of the Turkish nation, as opposed to being named after a bird.

Why has the Czech Republic been renamed Czechia?

Similarly, the Czech Republic has also undergone a name change. While the official name remains the Czech Republic, the government prefers the simpler title Czechia. This change was motivated by the need for easier recognition in international events such as sporting competitions and tourism marketing campaigns. President Miloš Zeman stated that he uses the word Czechia because it sounds nicer and is shorter than the cold-sounding Czech Republic.

Why has Holland been rebranded as the Netherlands?

In January 2020, the Netherlands embarked on a rebranding campaign and dropped the name Holland. The government believed that the Netherlands better represents the country as open, modern, and inclusive.

Why is Macedonia now called North Macedonia?

Lastly, the Republic of Macedonia officially became the Republic of North Macedonia in 2019. This name change was a result of political disputes with Greece and aimed to distinguish the country from the Greek region of Macedonia.