Hindustan

American  

[hin-doo-stahn, -stan] / ˌhɪn dʊˈstɑn, -ˈstæn /

noun

1. Persian name of India, especially the part N of the Deccan.

2. the predominantly Hindu areas of India, as contrasted with the predominantly Muslim areas of Pakistan.

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Hindustan British  

/ ˌhɪndʊˈstɑːn /

noun

1. the land of the Hindus, esp India north of the Deccan and excluding Bengal

2. the general area around the Ganges where Hindi is the predominant language

3. the areas of India where Hinduism predominates, as contrasted with those areas where Islam predominates

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Etymology

Origin of Hindustan

First recorded in 1610–20; from Hindi, Urdu Hindustān, from Persian Hindūstān, literally, “country of the Hindus”; Hindi

Example Sentences

Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum were down 7.1% and 5.8%, respectively.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

"Sloppy India reach point of no return," said the Hindustan Times.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

The Africa sale builds on Coca-Cola’s recent deal to sell a 40% stake in India bottler Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages to Jubilant Bhartia Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

The film's screening was almost discontinued in 2015, but an uproar meant the fan favourite remained in its daily time slot at the Maratha Mandir, according to the Hindustan Times.

From Barron's • Oct. 19, 2025

In Hindustan, this doctrine is still enforced in the most unequivocal manner, through the medium of rites of portentous solemnity and significance to the devotees of the Hindu religion.

From Ophiolatreia An Account of the Rites and Mysteries Connected with the Origin, Rise, and Development of Serpent Worship in Various Parts of the World by Anonymous