Q. The word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by
(a) the Greeks
(b) the Romans
(c) the Chinese
(d) the Arabs
Ans: (a) the Greeks
Explanation: The word ‘Hindu’ as a reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by (a) the Greeks. The term ‘Hindu’ is derived from the ancient Persian word ‘Hindu’ or ‘Sindhu’, which originally referred to the Indus River. The Greeks, who came into contact with the Indian subcontinent during the time of Alexander the Great’s campaign, used the term ‘Indoi’ to refer to the people living beyond the Indus River. Over time, the term ‘Hindu’ came to be used to describe the people, culture, and religion associated with the Indian subcontinent. The usage of the term ‘Hindu’ in this context can be traced back to the Greek accounts of ancient India.
