The History Of Ancient India: Jambu-dwipa Bharatha-varsha 

The entire landmass in the northern hemisphere was said to be ringed by ocean in all directions in ancient Indian geography. The name of this enormous earthly landmass was Jambu-dwipa. ‘Dwipa’ is the Sanskrit word for island. Modern-day Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America made up Jambu-dwipa. One of the nine varshas (geographical regions) that made up this Jambu-dwipa was the Bharatha-Varsha. Ketumula-Varsha, Hari-Varsha, Ilavrita-Varsha, Kuru-Varsha, Hiranyaka-Varsha, Ramyaka-Varsha, Kimpurusha-Varsha, and Bhadrasva-Varsha were the other eight Varshas. Ilavrita-Varsha was among them and was located in the Arctic, near the modern North Pole.

The Approximate Geography of Ancient World:

Ancient India "Jambu-dweepa"

The map in the image above shows the old world as described in the Vedas and other sacred texts. The image of Jambu-dwipa and the nava varshas in this location are explained in depth by the map. The North Pole lay in the exact centre of Ilavrita-Varsha. According to legend, Ketumula-Varsha, which is currently submerged beneath the Atlantic Ocean, was located to the west of Ilavrita-Varsha. Ilavrita-Varsha was planned to be to the east of Bhadrasva-Varsha, which is currently under the Pacific Ocean. 

Hari-Varsha, Kimpurusha-Varsha, and Bharatha-Varsha were located on one side of the Ilavrita-Varsha.  Ramyaka, Hiranyaka, and Kuru-Varsha were on the opposite side of the Ilavrita Varsha. Kuru-Varsha was therefore on the other side of the globe from Bharatha-Varsha.

The majority of the South American continent, the southern half of the African continent, and the entire continent of Australia were drowned under water at that time. In contrast, the majority of the contemporary Atlantic and Pacific oceans as well as the whole Arctic Ocean were above sea level.

The Name and Glory of Ancient India: Bharatha-Varsha:

India was known as Bharatha-Varsha in ancient times, and it included modern-day Egypt, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Iran, Sumeria, and the Caspian Sea (then known as Kashyap Samudra). Greater India was referred to as Bharatha-Varsha, while the Indian Subcontinent, which stretched from the Himalayas in the north to Kanya Kumari in the south, was referred to as Bharatha Khanda. As a result, the idea that Aryans immigrated from Central Asia to present-day northern India is unfounded because the ancient Aryan civilization's geographic range included all of the aforementioned areas. 

In Sanskrit, the word "Arya" itself does not denote any particular race but rather a "noble person." Our Puranas and itihasa claim that Bharatha-Varsha is replete with historical occurrences. The Vedic culture expanded throughout the Bharata Varsha during this time. The Saraswati River, which the Vedas frequently refer to as the origin and centre of ancient Vedic culture, dried up shortly after the end of the Mahabharata war as a result of geological occurrences in that area. As a result, the once lush green region of present-day Rajasthan became the desert that we see today. 

In the past, there was no Arabian Sea, and the continent of Earth extended continuously from modern-day India to Africa.

The powerful Saraswati river, which originated in the Himalayas, flowed through Africa for more than 4500 miles before entering the oceans. At the time, this river was the largest and longest. In the Veda, this river receives the most praise and mentions.

Of the three rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—the first two are still active today, but Saraswati was once believed to be a mythical river. On the other hand, modern satellite images and geological information have made it possible to identify the location of the once-powerful Saraswati river.

The Meaning and Glory behind the name ‘Bharatha-Varsha’:

Bharata is the source of the Sanskrit term Bharatha. The word's literal meaning of "to be maintained" is "to bear to carry," which is the origin of the verb "to bear to carry." The English verb to bear and the Latin verb fer share the same root ‘bhr.’ It's interesting to note that the word "Dharma," which refers to the central idea of Indian values, comes from the root "dhr," which means "to uphold or to nourish."

Both the terms, Bharatha and Dharma ultimately refer to that which upholds either the overall order of things or the individual's ordered existence in life.

The Republic of India's Constitution's first article declares that "India, that is, Bharat, shall be a union of states." As a result, the Republic of India has two official short names: India and Bharat.

Bharatha was referred as ‘Hindustan’ by Mughal invaders which particularly became more common name during the British era. It wasn't always known as Bharatha Varsha.

It was previously known as Aja_nabha_Varsha. It was Himavath Pradesh prior to then. We must look back to Swayambhu Manu, the ancestor of modern humanity, in order to understand the significance of the name of Bharatha-Varsha given to this nation. The renownedking Priyavarta was his son. Agnidhara was Priyavarta’s son. Priyavarta’s son Ajanabha, also known as the name Nabhi. Ajanabha was a great and virtuous monarch. The region became known as Ajanabha_Varsha during his rule.

Rishabh dev, a renowned man, was Ajanabha's son. He was a regal saint. In favour of his son Bharata, Rishabh renounced  the throne and took up asceticism.

One of his line's most revered and honourable monarchs was Bharatha. He properly fed and cared for his subjects. During this time, the region that had previously gone by the name Aja_nabha_Varsha changed its name to Bharatha Varsha which still in domain since then. In the Jain tradition, Ajanabha (Nabhi), Rishabh, and Bharatha play important roles.

The name of what we refer to as Bharatha Varsha or Bharatha comes from the highly honourable and virtuous monarch Bharatha. Being deserving of his name is the greatest we (those born and living in his land) can hope to achieve. Evidently, in earlier times, pride in one's birthplace, Bharath, was felt. Krishna frequently refers to Arjuna as Bharatha, the honourable one, in the Gita.

Bharatha Varsha's name, shape, and size have all altered numerous times throughout the ages. Regardless of its current name, whether it was given or borrowed, or the size of its borders, did you know that the idea of India as Bharath has persisted as a multidimensional beauty even in the middle of the surrounding chaos? It's been a nation forever. Despite conflict and an unlimited variety of differences, India has managed to maintain its pluralism, democratic way of life, and core ideals. This is a notable accomplishment. We refer to India as the Miracle that is India for these reasons.

The Bharatha tribe is mentioned multiple times in the Rig Veda. The geographical horizon of the Rig Veda is defined.  It depicts a continent with seven major rivers and borders made up of numerous oceans and mountains. The geographical realm of the Bharatas and their neighbours is mostly depicted. As a result, the Rig Veda claims that the Bharathas dominated the region that extended along the Parushni (Ravi) and Vipasa (Beas) rivers. The Bharatas are one of the Purus, who make up the majority of the Vedic Aryans in the Rig Veda.

The Land of Dushyant’s Son: Bharatha 

The Purus who was descendant of Bharatha,  the Chandra-Vansha (Moon Dynasty) was boosted flourished by the Purus' success in the North. After many generations latter Bharatha, who was the son of Dushyant, was born into this clan.

The love between Dushyant and Shakuntala was immortalised by the great poet Kalidasa in his epic Abhigyana Shakuntalam. According to the chronology given in the Vishnu Purana, Bharatha the son of Dushyant born  thousands of years after  Emperor Bharatha son of Rishabh. Pandava and Kaurava were the descendants of Dushyant/Bharatha's but many generations later. 

The name of Bharat to which we are familiar toady still shows the imprints of Bharatha’s son of Dushyant dynasty.