In Indian historical and constitutional tradition, why is the country known by the ancient name Bharat?

Introduction / Context:
This question comes from Indian history, culture and the Constitution. The very first article of the Constitution states: 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' The name Bharat is rooted in ancient Indian tradition and appears in texts such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Understanding why India is called Bharat helps connect constitutional language with mythological and historical narratives that are frequently mentioned in exams and general discussions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the main traditional reason why India is known as Bharat.
• Options mention a legendary king Bharata, the goddess Bharati, a Sanskrit word split Bha + Rata, and Emperor Ashoka.
• We assume the explanation usually provided in standard GK and history books.
• We focus on the most widely accepted traditional origin associated with the name.

Concept / Approach:
In ancient Indian tradition, Bharatvarsha is described as the land ruled or inhabited by King Bharata, a legendary ruler often identified as the son of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala in the epic literature. Many Puranic verses refer to the region north of the ocean and south of the Himalayas as Bharatvarsha, named after this king. Although there are philosophical interpretations of the word Bharat, competitive exams and school textbooks generally mention the connection with King Bharata as the primary explanation. Hence, the name Bharat in the Constitution is linked to this ancient cultural and literary heritage.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the constitutional phrase 'India, that is Bharat', confirming Bharat as an official name of the Republic.Step 2: Remember that ancient texts like the Mahabharata and the Puranas use the term Bharatvarsha for the Indian subcontinent.Step 3: Identify the legendary king Bharata (often described as the son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, or as a prominent ruler of the Bharata clan) as the namesake of Bharatvarsha.Step 4: Compare with other explanations: derivation from goddess Bharati or Bha + Rata are more interpretative and less central in standard exam material.Step 5: Emperor Ashoka did not introduce the name Bharat; the term predates him by centuries.Step 6: Therefore, select the option naming the legendary king Bharata as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
NCERT-style history and civics textbooks, as well as many general knowledge books, explain that the name Bharat is derived from the legendary king Bharata, whose domain was called Bharatvarsha. They quote traditional verses that define Bharatvarsha as the land south of the Himalayas and north of the ocean. MCQs on this topic typically present options similar to those here and mark the king Bharata explanation as correct, confirming our choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Because it is derived from the goddess Bharati: While Bharati is a deity associated with speech and learning, standard explanations for the name Bharat do not mainly rely on this derivation.Because it combines the Sanskrit words Bha (light) and Rata (devoted): This is a modern interpretative breakdown sometimes used in speeches, but not the primary traditional origin cited in textbooks.Because Emperor Ashoka adopted the name after the Kalinga war: The term Bharatvarsha is much older than Ashoka and appears in texts that predate his reign.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may be tempted by imaginative etymologies such as Bha + Rata because they sound meaningful. Others may assume that a famous emperor like Ashoka must have coined the name. To avoid such errors, rely on what standard history and civics books say: the most widely accepted traditional explanation is that Bharat is named after the legendary king Bharata, and the region under his rule was called Bharatvarsha.

Final Answer:
India is called Bharat because, according to ancient tradition, the land is named after the legendary king Bharata, and was known as Bharatvarsha.