Persian · noun · Nation, Faith & Society
Hindostan
हिन्दोस्ताँ
also written: Hindustan, Hindostaan
Meaning
India, the land of the Indus.
Literally: Hind (the Indus region) plus the Persian suffix -stan (land of).
How Iqbal uses it
Hindostan is the beating heart of Tarana-e-Hindi, the homeland Iqbal proclaims better than the whole world and calls his own, the garden in which his people are the nightingales.
See it in the verse
Hindostan in Iqbal’s couplets
Mazhab nahin sikhata aapas mein bair rakhna
Hindi hain hum, watan hai Hindostan hamara
Hindi hain hum, watan hai Hindostan hamara
Religion does not teach us to hold enmity among ourselves. We are of Hind, and Hindustan is our homeland.
Unity · Love
Na samjhoge to mit jaoge ai Hindostan walon
Tumhari dastan tak bhi na hogi dastanon mein
Tumhari dastan tak bhi na hogi dastanon mein
If you will not understand, you will be erased, O people of Hindustan — not even your story will remain among the stories.
Awakening · Courage
Hai Ram ke vajood pe Hindostan ko naaz
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
Ahl-e-nazar samajhte hain us ko imam-e-Hind
India takes pride in the very existence of Ram; those of discerning sight regard him as the spiritual leader of India.
Unity
Saare jahan se achchha Hindostan hamara
Ham bulbulen hain is ki ye gulsitan hamara
Ham bulbulen hain is ki ye gulsitan hamara
Better than the whole world is this India of ours; we are its nightingales and this is our garden.
Unity · Love
Ai himala ai fasil-e-kishwar-e-hindustan
Chumta hai teri peshani ko jhuk kar aasman
Chumta hai teri peshani ko jhuk kar aasman
O Himalaya, O rampart of the land of India, the sky bends down to kiss your brow.
Humility · Self-Knowledge